Which European country was the first to establish significant colonies in the New World?

Spain was the first European country to establish significant colonies in the New World, driven by the ambitions of explorers and conquistadors following Christopher Columbus's voyages in the late 15th century. After Columbus's discovery of the Americas in 1492, Spain quickly moved to colonize large areas, notably in the Caribbean, Mesoamerica, and South America. This included the establishment of key settlements and the conquest of powerful indigenous empires, such as the Aztecs and Incas.

Spain's early colonial journey was characterized by the exploitative systems they imposed on native populations, including the encomienda system, which facilitated the extraction of labor and resources. The wealth generated from these colonies, particularly through the extraction of silver and gold, significantly bolstered Spain's economy and its position as a dominant global power during the 16th century.

Other European countries, like France, England, and Portugal, began their colonial ventures later, often learning from Spain's experiences and focusing on different regions and types of settlements. Portugal primarily concentrated on trade routes to Asia and established a presence in Brazil after Spain’s initial colonial ambitions. Thus, Spain's early and extensive colonization efforts mark it as the first European country to establish significant colonies in the New World.