 Christopher Columbus landed at Môle Saint-Nicolas on 5 December 1492, and claimed the island he named "La Isla Espanola" (later named Hispaniola) for Spain.The Spanish established sugar plantations and made the natives work as slaves, however the harsh conditions and infectious diseases brought over by the Spanish sailors nearly wiped out the indigenous population by 1520 as the natives lacked immunity to these new diseases, The Spaniards imported slaves from Africa to work these plantations instead.The Africans introduced okra (also called "gumbo"; edible pods), ackee (red and yellow fruit), taro (an edible root), pigeon peas (seeds of an African shrub), and various spices to the diet.