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The Viceroyalty of New Spain (Spanish: Virreinato de Nueva España), was the first of four...

The Viceroyalty of New Spain (Spanish: Virreinato de Nueva España), was the first of four viceroyalties created to govern Spain's lands in the North and Central America. It was ruled by a viceroy from Mexico City who governed many territories on behalf of the King of Spain. The Viceroyalty of New Spain lasted from 1535 to 1821, and was one of two early viceroyalties established in the 16th century, the other being the Viceroyalty of Peru. In the 18th century the Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada, and the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata were also created. The territories it ruled included present-day California, Southwestern United States, Central America (except Panama), and the Caribbean. Later, jurisdiction over parts of Asia Pacific was held as well. The main government of New Spain was located on in what was known then as América Septentrional (Northern America), namely Mexico. In 1821, Mexico, and Central America achieved their independence after three centuries of Spanish rule. However, most of the Spanish West Indies including Cuba, and Puerto Rico; and the Spanish East Indies including the Philippine Islands, Guam, and the Mariana Islands remained a part of the Spanish