    the spanish empire () comprised territories and colonies administered by the spanish crown in europe, the americas, africa, asia and oceania. it originated during the age of exploration after the voyages of christopher columbus as one of the first global empires. under the spanish habsburgs, spain reached the peak of its political and economic power, becoming the foremost global power of the time. spain's territorial reach beyond europe included the greater antilles, half of south america, most of central america and much of north america (including present day mexico, florida and the southwestern and pacific coastal regions of the united states), a
Former_empires History_of_Spain History_of_modern_European_colonialism History_of_the_Americas House_of_Habsburg Overseas_empires Spanish_Empire Spanish_colonization_of_the_Americas