Initially inhabited by Mayan Indians in the pre-Columbian era, modern-day Central America was discovered by Spain in the 16th century, who rapidly conquered the lands formerly inhabited by the Mayans. Central America was under control of the Spanish Empire as the Viceroyalty of New Spain until 1821, when Mexico won its eleven-year war of independence against Spain. In July 1823, the five states of Central America declared their independence from the Mexican Empire, though only in August of 1824 did Agustin I finally recognize their sovereignty. In the following decades, the republic admitted two new states (Los Altos in 1838 and Soconusco in 1841), narrowly avoided all-out civil war, and, in order to prevent any one state from gaining too much power by claiming the national capital, San Sa