Virreinato

A virreinato, or viceroyalty, was a large administrative region established by colonial powers, like Spain, in the Americas and other territories. It was governed by a viceroy who acted as the king’s representative, overseeing laws, defense, and resource management. This system helped the colonial power maintain control over vast areas, implement policies, and facilitate communication. In essence, a virreinato was an organized political structure that allowed a central authority to manage distant colonies effectively, combining local authority with the directives from the colonial crown.