colonized

Portugal was the leading country in the
European exploration of the world in the 15th
century.

Between 1405 and 1433, at least 317 ships and 37,000 men were under his command.

The map used by Columbus was
obtained by the Portuguese from
the Chinese.

In 1492 Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain
with three ships: the Nina, the Pinta and the
Santa Maria.

In 1497 John Cabot and
his men explored the
shores of Newfoundland,
Nova Scotia, and Labrador
and gave fishing rights to
the English.

As they colonized the New World, the French established forts and settlements that would become such cities as Quebec and Montreal in Canada.

France founded colonies in much of eastern North America, on a number of Caribbean islands, and in South America.

The French colonization of the Americas began
in the 16th century, and continued in the following
centuries as France established a colonial empire in the west

Most colonies were developed to export products such as fish, sugar, and furs.

Henry Hudson wanted to find a passage across the continent of North America.