Saint Augustine is rich in history as it is the oldest city in the country.

Florida is widely known for its beautiful beaches and immersive theme parks, but did you know that the Sunshine State is also home to the oldest city in the country?

St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by soldier Don Pedro Menéndez de Avilés of Spain, according to the Visit Florida website.

Prior to that, Juan Ponce de León first discovered Florida in 1513 while searching for a supposed fountain of youth that was believed to be located on an island called Bimini, according to History.com.

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The settlement, originally occupied by people of European and African-American descent, is the oldest continuously inhabited town in the country.

The settlement got its name because it was spotted by Menendez on August 28, the feast day of St. Augustine, according to History.com. The explorer set foot on the Florida coast “with great pomp and cheers from 600 travelers,” the city of St. Augustine says on its website.

Many of St. Augustine's historic landmarks can still be visited today, such as the Castillo de San Marcos, construction of which began in 1672. (Harvey Meston/Getty Images I Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)

Menendez's goal was to drive out the French, according to the National Park Service.

At the time of its founding, the city was intended to serve as a military outpost and base for Catholic missionary settlements, according to the City of St. Augustine website.

During the early days of St. Augustine, many battles took place on the territory, including those involving English pirates who attacked the town on several occasions.

For example, in June 1586, a British fleet led by Sir Francis Drake attacked the city and burned St. Augustine.

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Due to the raids, construction of the Castillo de San Marcos, a permanent stone fortress, began in 1672. The fort still stands in the city today and is a popular tourist destination for visitors.

In 1763, with the signing of the first Treaty of Paris, St. Augustine was returned to British control, according to the Florida Department of State.

Saint Augustine is known as the oldest city in America. (Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images)

In 1783, another treaty was signed, according to which the colonies north of Florida were granted independence and Florida returned to Spain, according to the city of St. Augustine. This began a period that many historians call the Second Spanish Period.

At that time, America was expanding rapidly. In 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty was signed between the United States and Spain, which ceded Florida to the United States. This treaty came into force in 1821. In 1845, Florida became the 27th state of the United States.

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Today, St. Augustine's early history is still closely tied to the city through the many museums and historical monuments found throughout.

Saint Augustine is a very popular tourist destination, with millions of visitors each year. Visitors to the city enjoy its gorgeous beaches, historical monuments, and the Spanish culture that is still present in the city, especially through its architecture.

The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is one of the many popular tourist attractions located in St. Augustine, Florida. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

While in St. Augustine, a visit to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a must for many travelers, as is a tour of the historic St. Augustine Cathedral Basilica.

Also in St. Augustine, you can shop on St. George Street and visit the Colonial Quarter during your stay, where you can fully immerse yourself in the city's history.

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Other popular historic tourist stops to make while in St. Augustine include the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.