What areas of North America did the Spanish explore?Central AmericaCalifroniaMexicoFlori

The Spanish explored several areas in North America, including:

1. Central America: Spanish explorers, led by Christopher Columbus, first arrived in Central America in the late 15th century. They explored and colonized several areas, including present-day Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize.

2. California: Spanish exploration of California began in the 16th century with Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's expedition in 1542. Later, in the 18th century, Spain established missions across California, which were instrumental in the colonization of the region.

3. Mexico: Hernán Cortés led the Spanish expedition to Mexico in 1519, which resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire. Spain ruled Mexico as a colony for nearly 300 years, until Mexico's independence in 1821.

4. Florida: Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed on the east coast of Florida in 1513. St. Augustine, founded by the Spanish in 1565, is considered the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States.