Wanderlust World Wanderlust World - In 1492, Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus set sail westward across the Atlantic Ocean in search of a new route to Asia. He accidentally landed in the Caribbean islands, which he believed to be part of Asia.
Spanish Exploration and Conquest:
- Soon after Columbus's voyage, other Spanish explorers followed, including Vasco Núñez de Balboa who crossed the Isthmus of Panama and reached the Pacific Ocean in 1513, establishing Spain's presence in the Americas.
- In 1519, Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés landed in Mexico and began the conquest of the Aztec Empire, eventually leading to the establishment of New Spain.
- Other conquistadors like Francisco Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire in South America in the 1530s.
Spanish colonization:
- The Spanish established colonies throughout the Americas, including present-day Mexico, Central and South America, parts of the Caribbean, and even Florida in North America.
- These colonies were sources of valuable resources, including gold, silver, and other commodities that were shipped back to Spain.