What exploration crossed into territory belonging to an European nation?

The exploration of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492 is a notable example of an expedition that crossed into territory belonging to a European nation. Columbus, sponsored by Spain, landed in the Bahamas, claiming the lands for the Spanish crown, despite the fact that they were already inhabited by Indigenous peoples. This voyage marked the beginning of extensive European exploration and colonization in the Americas, altering the course of history.