The indigenous Taíno were the native people of the Caribbean, primarily inhabiting areas such as Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. They were part of the Arawakan language family and had a rich culture that included agriculture, fishing, and crafting. The Taíno were known for their social organization, which included chiefdoms led by a cacique. The arrival of European explorers in the late 15th century, particularly Christopher Columbus, significantly impacted the Taíno population. Many were subjected to violence, enslavement, and diseases brought by the Europeans, leading to a dramatic decline in their numbers. Despite this, elements of Taíno culture and language persist in the Caribbean today.