<P> Beginning with the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus and continuing for over three centuries , the Spanish Empire would expand across the Caribbean Islands , half of South America , most of Central America and much of North America ( including present day Mexico , Florida and the Southwestern and Pacific Coastal regions of the United States ) . It is estimated that during the colonial period ( 1492 -- 1832 ) , a total of 1.86 million Spaniards settled in the Americas and a further 3.5 million immigrated during the post-colonial era ( 1850 -- 1950 ) . </P>
<P> Beginning with the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus and continuing for over three centuries , the Spanish Empire would expand across the Caribbean Islands , half of South America , most of Central America and much of North America ( including present day Mexico , Florida and the Southwestern and Pacific Coastal regions of the United States ) . It is estimated that during the colonial period ( 1492 -- 1832 ) , a total of 1.86 million Spaniards settled in the Americas and a further 3.5 million immigrated during the post-colonial era ( 1850 -- 1950 ) . </P>
when did spain claim most of its land in the new world
when did spain claim most of its land in the new world
colonial period ( 1492 -- 1832 )
colonial period ( 1492 -- 1832 )