Nueva España (historical context)

Nueva España, or New Spain, was a vast territory established by Spain in the Americas from the early 16th century until the early 19th century. It encompassed present-day Mexico, parts of the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. Following the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521, it became a major colonial hub for trade, agriculture, and resource extraction. The region played a crucial role in the spread of Spanish culture, Catholicism, and the transatlantic trade networks. By the early 1800s, independence movements led to its dissolution, paving the way for modern nations in Latin America.