The Age of Exploration

England

France

Spain

Spain's exploration centered on the search for gold in the Americas. Spain subdued the Mayan, Incan, and Aztec civilizations.

England's exploration in North America came first with John Cabot in 1497. English settlements eventually streched from the Canadian maritimes down the Atlantic coast to Spanish Florida.

French explorers such as Cartier, LaSalle, and Champlain explored the St. Lawrence River and claimed French Canada.

The Portuguese were the first maritime power to get in the game. They explored the coast of Africa and eventually made it to India, where they established trading ports.

Portugal

The Netherlands is a small country, but in the 1600s it's navy was powerful and the Dutch East India Company had influence from Europe to South Africa to the East Indies.

Netherlands

Ferdinand Magellan