Companhia das Índias Ocidentais

Companhia das Índias Ocidentais, or the West India Company, was a Dutch trading company established in 1621 to expand Dutch commerce and influence in the West Indies and the Americas. It aimed to control trade routes, manage colonies, and promote economic growth through the exchange of commodities like sugar, timber, and gold. The company operated as a private business with government support, playing a significant role in Dutch colonization and maritime trade during the 17th century. Its activities contributed to the Netherlands becoming a major global trading power during the colonial era.