When did the Spanish language come to America?

The Spanish language came to America with Christopher Columbus and his crew in 1492. While there were already indigenous languages spoken in the Americas, Spanish became the dominant language in many regions due to the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

However, the timeline of Spanish language's arrival in different parts of America varies greatly depending on the region:

* Caribbean: Spanish was established in the Caribbean islands immediately following Columbus' arrival.

* Central and South America: Spanish spread rapidly throughout Central and South America during the 16th and 17th centuries, replacing many indigenous languages.

* North America: While Spanish was present in some parts of North America, such as Florida and the Southwest, its spread was less significant than in other regions.

Therefore, while 1492 marks the beginning of Spanish language's presence in America, its arrival and spread across the continent occurred over several centuries and continues to evolve today.