The Spanish Main, in red. Spanish possessions in yellow
The
Spanish Main was the mainland coast of the
Spanish Empire around the
Caribbean Sea, a region initially called
"Spanish America." It included present-day
Florida,
Mexico,
Central America and the north coast of
South America. In time it became a general term for the seaways bordering the
Spanish possessions in the Caribbean.
From the
16th to the
18th century, the Spanish Main was the point of departure for enormous wealth shipped back to Spain in the form of
gold,
silver,
gems,
spices,
hardwoods,
hides and other riches.
Major ports were
Cartagena de Indias in
New Granada,
Porto Bello on the
Isthmus of Darien and
Veracruz in
New Spain.
Manila Galleons transported wares overland from
Acapulco. From there they were shipped to Spain by the famous
Spanish Plate (
Spanish treasure fleets). The Spanish Main was ripe territory for
pirates and
privateers.
See also
