The significance of the discovery of the Americas for European powers was immense, as it opened new opportunities for colonization, trade, and resource extraction. Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1492 marked the beginning of the Age of Exploration, leading to the establishment of vast colonial empires by Spain, Portugal, France, and England. The Americas offered untold wealth in terms of gold, silver, and agricultural products, altering the global economy. Additionally, the encounters initiated by these discoveries had profound effects on indigenous populations, leading to cultural exchanges, exploitation, and significant demographic changes through disease and colonization.