(circa 1460 – 1715)
Conquistadors is a term used to refer to the soldiers and explorers of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires. During the Ages of Exploration and Discovery, conquistadors sailed beyond Europe to the Americas, Oceania, Africa and Asia, conquering territories, opening trade routes and spreading Christianity. Conquistadors colonized much of the world for Spain and Portugal spanning nearly 400 years, beginning in the 14th century and continuing well into the 18th century.
