Which exploration crossed into territory belonging to an European nation?

One notable exploration that crossed into territory belonging to a European nation was Christopher Columbus's voyage in 1492. He sailed under the Spanish flag and reached the islands of the Caribbean, which were part of the Spanish Empire's claimed territories. Columbus's expeditions led to the European colonization of the Americas, significantly impacting indigenous populations and altering global trade routes. His journeys marked the beginning of widespread European exploration and conquest in the New World.