September 28th, 2011 9:21 pm
During the colonial days of the 15th century, European powers including Spain, England, France, Denmark and The Netherlands explored, laid claim to and established settlements in parts of what is now the US and its territories.
Located near Mountainair in New Mexico, the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is an old National Park that preserves the some of the best existing examples of Spanish Franciscans history in the US. Preserved at three separate sites in this park are the ruins of several of America's six remaining 17th century Spanish mission churches, as well as three of the largest Pueblo Indian villages. One of these is the partially excavated pueblo of Las Humanas, known today as the Gran Quivira pueblo. The park today entertains over 30,000 visitors a year, and features an interpretative trail through the missions and pueblos.