What was the major reason European rulers sought to colonize North America?

Economic Gain: The primary motivation for European colonization of North America was economic gain. European powers, mainly Spain, France, England, and the Netherlands, competed to establish colonies in the New World to exploit its abundant natural resources, such as timber, furs, fish, and minerals, and to develop lucrative trade routes. The colonies provided raw materials for European industries and served as markets for European manufactured goods, fueling economic growth and prosperity in Europe.