Which countries were the first to explore the Americas?

The first countries to explore the Americas were Spain and Portugal, primarily during the Age of Discovery that began in the late 15th century. Spain, energized by the voyages of Christopher Columbus in 1492, established a significant presence in the Caribbean and later expanded its exploration to large parts of South America, Central America, and the southern regions of North America. Columbus's expeditions were funded by the Spanish monarchy, leading to widespread exploration and colonization efforts by Spain in the new territories.

Portugal, while primarily focused on exploring Africa and establishing trade routes to India, was also involved in early exploratory missions. The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), set between Spain and Portugal, divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two nations. This agreement allowed Portugal to explore areas in Brazil, further determining the early dynamics of European exploration in the Americas.

The other choices reflect countries that were less involved in early exploration efforts. France and England began significant exploration and colonization in later decades, particularly in the early 17th century, while the Netherlands and Denmark were notable for exploration and settlement activities that came even later. Czech Republic and Russia were not prominent players in the early exploration of the Americas at all. Thus, Spain and Portugal stand out as