Early European Settlers

The Spanish and Portuguese - During the 1500's, the Spanish and Portuguese spread out over the southern part of the Western Hemisphere in search of gold and other riches.  The Spaniards quickly conquered the Inca of Peru, the Maya of Central America, and the Aztec of Mexico.  By 1600, Spain and Portugal controlled most of the hemisphere from Mexico southward.Also during the 1500's, Spaniards moved into what is now the Southeastern and Western United States. But they took control of Florida and of the land west of the Mississippi River.

 

St. Augustine, Florida(1565)-, Oldest permanent European settlement founded by Spanish