<P> Originally populated by the indigenous Taíno people , the island was claimed in 1493 by Christopher Columbus for Spain during his second voyage . Later it endured invasion attempts from the French , Dutch , and British . Four centuries of Spanish colonial government influenced the island 's cultural landscapes with waves of African slaves , Canarian , and Andalusian settlers . In the Spanish Empire , Puerto Rico played a secondary , but strategic role when compared to wealthier colonies like Peru and the mainland parts of New Spain . Spain 's distant administrative control continued up to the end of the 19th century , helping to produce a distinctive creole Hispanic culture and language that combined elements from the Native Americans , Africans , and Iberians . In 1898 , following the Spanish -- American War , the United States acquired Puerto Rico under the terms of the Treaty of Paris . The treaty took effect on April 11 , 1899 . </P>
who did puerto rico belong to before the u.s
indigenous Taíno people Spain