Beginning of Essay
Until the late 1400's, Europeans did not know the existence of the two American continents ( North and South America ). To the European explorers, exploring the other side of the Atlantic was like exploring an entire different world, hence the name- the New World. ....

Middle of Essay
.... converting the natives to Christianity. By 1634, the area of present-day Florida and Georgia was home to 30 Spanish missionaries, 44 missionary stations, and 30,000 Indian converts to Catholicism. Within a few decades, Spanish explorers became familiar with the northern coast of South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic shore of North America, the Isthmus of Panama, the Gulf of Mexico and conclusively- the general outlines of the New World. Despite their knowledge, the Spanish persisted in searching for a Northwest Passage. Some individuals were attempting to escape from religious, political, economic oppression and the seemingly endless number ....