Which country originally settled Florida?

The correct answer is Spain because Florida was the first part of what is now the United States to be explored and settled by Europeans. In the early 16th century, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León is credited with the first European contact with Florida when he landed there in 1513. Spain established the first permanent European settlement in St. Augustine in 1565, making it the oldest city in the U.S. The Spanish influence on Florida is evident in its place names, culture, and historical landmarks. Their colonization efforts in Florida were part of Spain's broader ambitions to expand its empire in the Americas, making Spain the original country to settle the region. This historical context highlights the significance of Spanish colonization over other European powers during that era.