Virreinato de la Nueva España

The Virreinato de la Nueva España was a Spanish colonial territory established in the early 16th century, covering much of what is now Mexico and parts of the southwestern United States. It was governed by a viceroy representing the Spanish crown, overseeing administration, justice, and the spread of Christianity. The colony was a major center of wealth due to its gold, silver, and agricultural products, and it played a key role in Spain’s global empire. The virreinato persisted until Mexico's independence movement in the early 19th century, leading to the formation of the modern nation of Mexico.