---
title: Map of the European Colonization of North America, 1492-1750
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14633/map-of-the-european-colonization-of-north-america/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2025-09-25
---

# Map of the European Colonization of North America, 1492-1750

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of the European Colonization of North America, 1492-1750](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14633.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/14633.png)

## Image Caption

The systematic European [colonization](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/colonization/) of North America unfolded between the first voyages of the 1490s and the outbreak of the French and Indian [War](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) in the 1750s. Spanish, French, English, and Dutch ambitions carved up the continent, with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 marking a turning point that curtailed French power and boosted British expansion.

During these centuries, empires built settlements, trading posts, and far-reaching claims. Spain dominated the south and southwest, France held Canada and the Mississippi Valley, and [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/) steadily advanced along the Atlantic seaboard. The Treaty of Utrecht (1713) ended the War of Spanish Succession by forcing France to cede Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, and Acadia to Britain — a reordering that laid the groundwork for future struggles over control of the continent.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2021, September 20). Map of the European Colonization of North America, 1492-1750. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14633/map-of-the-european-colonization-of-north-america/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the European Colonization of North America, 1492-1750." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 20, 2021. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14633/map-of-the-european-colonization-of-north-america/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the European Colonization of North America, 1492-1750." *World History Encyclopedia*, 20 Sep 2021, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14633/map-of-the-european-colonization-of-north-america/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 20 September 2021. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.