New Spain (in the
Spanish language Nueva Espaņa) was the name given to the
Spanish colonial territory in
North America from c.
1525 to
1821. The Capital of New Spain was
Mexico City. New Spain was ruled by a
Viceroy appointed by the
King of Spain. The territory of New Spain included all of what is now
Mexico,
Central America down to the southern border of
Costa Rica, and portions of the
United States including the current states of
California,
Arizona,
New Mexico, and
Texas. The northern boundary of New Spain remained undefined until the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819. In
1821 Spain lost most of the territory, except for
Cuba and
Puerto Rico, with the independence of Mexico.
The Philippines were administered as a colony of New Spain.
See also: Mexico, History of Mexico, List of Viceroys of Mexico
