The Castilian Empire was the result of a period of rapid colonial expansion into the New World , as well as the Philippines and colonies in Africa : Melilla was captured by Castile in 1497 and Oran in 1509 . The Spanish Empire was the result of a period of rapid colonial expansion into the New World , and colonies in Africa : Castile captured Melilla in 1497 , Mers el-Kebir in 1505 , and neighbor Oran in 1509 .