Which groups of europeans were the first to control of land in the Americas?

The first Europeans to gain control of land in the Americas were the Spanish, following Christopher Columbus's voyages starting in 1492. They established colonies in the Caribbean and later expanded into parts of Central and South America, claiming vast territories. The Portuguese also played a significant role, particularly in Brazil, while the French, English, and Dutch followed in the 16th and 17th centuries, establishing their own colonies in North America and the Caribbean.