Europeans wanted to discover new sea trade routes from Europe to India to replace the land routes used in the past.

Italian explorer Christopher Columbus was the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean during a voyage that was financed by Spain.

Spain sent many other explorers across the Atlantic Ocean to claim new lands and resources for Spain.

​The Spanish Sail the Atlantic

Spanish conquistadores built an empire in the Americas.

Hernán Cortés conquered the Aztec empire and founded Mexico City.

Catholic priests and nuns from Spain established missions.

Alonso Álvarez de Pineda mapped the Texas coastline.

Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca began the search for treasures in the Americas.

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​Spanish Colonization