Which European Powers Explored and Claimed the New World?

All three: Spain, France, and England.

These were the three primary European nations that explored, conquered, and established enduring colonial claims in the Americas:

• Spain: First to arrive (Columbus, 1492). Claimed vast territories: Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, most of South America, Florida, Southwest US. Viceroyalties of New Spain, Peru, New Granada, Río de la Plata.
• France: Focused on North America—New France (Canada, Great Lakes, Mississippi Valley to Gulf). Key: Quebec (1608), Montreal, Louisiana (La Salle, 1682). Fur trade driven.
• England: Later start (Cabot 1497, but settlement 1607 Jamestown). Claimed Thirteen Colonies on Atlantic seaboard. Expanded west post-independence.

Other Claimants

• Portugal: Brazil (Treaty of Tordesillas).
• Netherlands: New Netherland (New York), Caribbean, Brazil (briefly).
• Russia: Alaska, Pacific Northwest.
• Sweden/Denmark: Small, short-lived colonies (Delaware, Caribbean).

But Spain, France, and England were the dominant imperial architects of the colonial Americas.