The forgotten Spanish influence on shaping the USA

One of my biggest sources for this book was American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard. Great book. Purchase a copy if you haven't already.

Embarrassing Correction: I totally butchered the section about the 1493 settlement in Puerto Rico. Colombus landed in Puerto Rico and named it San Juan Baptista in 1493 but didn't actually settle it. It wasn't settled until 1508 with the founding of Caparra by Juan Ponce De Leon. The sign in the picture is of La Isabela located in the province of Puerto Plata of Dominican Republic not Puerto Rico. La Isabela was Colombus' second settlement after La Navidad was destroyed. I guess I got thrown off by the similar years and names. I wish I'd caught it before publishing.