The major colonizers of the New World were primarily Spain, Portugal, England, France, and the Netherlands. Each of these countries played significant roles in exploring and establishing colonies in the Americas from the late 15th century onward:
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Spain: One of the earliest and most significant colonizers, Spain established vast territories in Central and South America, including the Aztec and Inca empires. Key figures like Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, and Francisco Pizarro were instrumental in these conquests.
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Portugal: Although primarily focused on Brazil, which was discovered in 1500, Portugal also had interests in parts of the Caribbean and other regions.
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England: The English established colonies along the eastern coast of North America, including the Thirteen Colonies, and later spread into the Caribbean and parts of Canada.
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France: French colonization focused on Canada, the Great Lakes region, and parts of the Caribbean. Samuel de Champlain and other explorers were key in establishing French claims.
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Netherlands: The Dutch were active in the colonization of parts of the Caribbean and established New Netherland, which included areas of present-day New York.
These countries competed for land, resources, and trade routes, leading to significant cultural, social, and economic changes in the New World and impacting indigenous populations greatly.
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