| Total population | |
|---|---|
| unknown | |
| Languages | |
| Spanish | |
| Religion | |
| PredominantlyRoman Catholic | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
|
Floridanos (English:Floridians) is a term for colonial residents of the Spanish settlements in St. Augustine and Pensacola[1] who were born inSpanish Florida.[2] Descendants of the original Floridanos can be found throughout the state, especially in St. Augustine,[3] as well as inMiami,Tampa, andOrlando.
Established on September 8, 1565,St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in what is now the United States.[4] From that time onward, there was a regular exchange of settlers, soldiers, families, and governance between Florida and Cuba, both territories of the Spanish Crown. Following Spain's defeat in theSeven Years' War, Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain in 1763. Many of St. Augustine's settlers left Florida during the period that British ruledEast Florida, with many of them moving to Cuba. More than 3,000 Floridanos left Florida forHavana,Cuba between 1763 and early 1764.[5] Spanish Floridians inwest Florida mostly fled toVeracruz,Mexico, with about 620 sailing fromPensacola. The term "Floridano" was the term used by the colonial authorities to designate Floridians bound for Cuba.[6] Spain recovered East Florida and gained control of West Florida through thePeace of Paris of 1783.[7][8] The governors of the provinces of East and West Florida promoted European migration to them. Florida was ceded to the United States in 1819 by theAdams–Onís Treaty.
In 2010, an historical marker titled "Los Floridanos" that commemorates the Floridanos was unveiled at St. Augustine's Visitor Information Center.[6]
The number of descendants of Spanish settlers in Florida is unknown. However, two of the earliest settlers, Francisco Sanchez and Manuel Solana, are known to have between 500 and 1,000 descendants living in the state. Manuel Solana was a descendant of Alonso Solana who had arrived to Florida in 1613 as a soldier in the Spanish military. These settlers were some of the few Spaniards who remained in Florida when the territory was ceded to Great Britain in 1763. Their descendants founded the Los Floridanos Society in St. Augustine,[9] whose main function is to teach the history and legacy of the first settlers (1565-1763) to interested people. Some people of Cuban origin living in Florida also have ancestors in Colonial Florida. Some of the descendants of East Florida GovernorJosé María Coppinger, who was not a settler of Florida and lived in Cuba his last years, also live in Florida.[10][11]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)