The island of Hispaniola is the second largest island in the Caribbean, at 29,273 sq miles, (75,843 sq km). Haiti occupies about 1/3 of the island, while the Dominican Republic controls the balance of land. Columbus claimed Hispaniola in 1492, declaring it (Isla Espanola,) 'the most beautiful island in the world.' It later became the major launching base for the Spanish conquest of the Caribbean, as well as the American mainland.