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There were the discovery of several new regions, but there were also many negative effects such as enslavement of natives, exploitation of natural resources, and even nations that until today suffer from imperialism and the exploitation that took place in the country.</u>
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In 1492, the year of America's own discovery, the first permanent colony on the island of Hispaniola was established by Christopher Columbus, the discoverer.
Within a few decades, many other colonies were established, spreading across the Caribbean islands and Florida and Peru. Shortly after, Portugal established a colony in Brazil, just as England colonized British Honduras (present-day Belize) and Jamaica.
The Dutch occupation was present in Guyana and also in Curacao, while the French took possession of Haiti, Guadalupe and Martinique. The union of the New and the Old World was responsible for a radical change in the destinies of their history.
The potential of American natural resources has significantly altered Europe's economic framework. Old World physical illnesses were one of the factors responsible for the decimation of the Native American population. On the other hand, the European conquerors became the masters of the lands that were once owned by the Aztecs, the Mayans and other native peoples.
