Though Spain's attempts to colonize Southeast North America in the 16th century proved a dismal failure, the Spanish empire nonetheless played a significant role in shaping the region's cultural, economic, and agricultural foundations. It was the Spanish, after all, who introduced the New World to both domesticated animals and a number of foreign crops, from sugar cane and citrus fruit to wheat, barley, and oats. This book details the role of the Spanish empire in early America, beginning almost five centuries ago during el siglo de oro de Espana, or the Golden Century of Spain. Topics include:the celebrated voyages of Christopher Columbus; the Soto, Luna, Pardo, and Joara Expeditions; and the contributions of modern archaeology in unlocking the secrets of the conquistadors' past.