EUROPEANS IN NORTH AMERICA

The start of the European colonization of the Americas is typically dated to 1492.
In 1492, a Spanish expedition headed by Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas and introduced the New World to Europe. European conquest, exploration, and large-scale exploration and colonization soon followed. This first occurred along the Caribbean coasts on the islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and Cuba, and since the early 16th century, extended into the interiors of both North and South America. In 1497, sailing from the north on behalf of the England, John Cabot landed on the North American coast, and a year later, Columbus's third voyage reached the South American coast. Eventually, the entire Western Hemisphere came under the control of European governments, leading to profound changes to its landscape, population, and plant and animal life. In the 19th century alone over 50 million people left Europe for the Americas.The post-1492 era is known as the period of the Columbian Exchange.