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Christopher Columbus discovered the Island in November 1493, during his second voyage. His first landing was in the western region, to search for water. Upon landing he baptized the Island "Isla de San Juan Bautista." In 1508 Juan Ponce de León decided to explore and colonize the Island. Ponce de León's earliest expeditions included the area of Guánica. Led by Cristóbal de Sotomayor, he founded a village called "La Villa del Sotomayor." After fierce attacks by the Taíno Indians, the village was moved and renamed San Germán in honor of the second wife of King Ferdinand of Spain. The first rum factory was established in this region and from here the first Paso Fino horses were sent to Perú. Many of Puerto Rico's key historical figures come from this area. Dr. Eugenio María de Hostos from Mayagüez is considered one of the great educators of this hemisphere. Segundo Ruiz Belvis, from Hormigueros, fought to free slaves on the Island. Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, from Cabo Rojo, was the leader of "El Grito de Lares," an armed rebellion against Spain in 1868. At the turn of the century José de Diego, a lawyer from Aguadilla promoting independence, came to be known as "El Caballero de La Raza." Also from Aguadilla is Rafael Hernández, considered to be one of Latin America's most important composers. This is just a small sample of talented leaders and artists from Porta del Sol who helped shape 500 years of Puerto Rico's history.
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