European Colonial Powers in South America (17th Century)

By the 1600s, five European nations had established colonial footholds in South America:

1. Spain (Dominant)

Viceroyalties: New Granada (Colombia/Ecuador/Venezuela/Panama), Peru (Peru/Chile/Bolivia), Río de la Plata (Argentina/Uruguay/Paraguay/Bolivia) — *created 1776*.
Key 17th c. centers: Lima, Potosí (silver), Bogotá, Quito, Buenos Aires (founded 1580, refounded 1580).

2. Portugal (Brazil)

State of Brazil: Captaincies consolidated. São Paulo (bandeirantes expansion), Rio de Janeiro (founded 1565, capital 1763), Salvador (first capital). Sugar (NE), then Gold/Diamonds (Minas Gerais, 1690s+). Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) basis.

3. The Netherlands (Dutch)

Dutch Brazil (New Holland): 1630–1654 (Recife/Salvador) — lost to Portugal.
Suriname (Dutch Guiana): Captured 1667 (Treaty of Breda). Plantation colony.
Caribbean bases: Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire (supply/slave trade).

4. France

French Guiana: Settled 1604 (failed), re-established 1643 (Cayenne). Penal colony later.
Equinoctial France: São Luís, Maranhão (1612–1615) — expelled by Portugal.

5. Britain (England)

Suriname: Briefly held (1650–1667) — swapped for New Amsterdam (NY) in Treaty of Breda.
Guiana coast settlements: Essequibo, Demerara, Berbice (later British Guiana → Guyana).
Falklands claim: 1690 (first landing).

Summary Table