strait
a narrow passage that connects two large bodies of water
circumnavigate
travel around
conquistador
soldier-adventurer from Spain
plantation
large farm worked by laborers who live on the property
encomiendas
land grants that included the rights to demand taxes or labor from Native Americans
mission
a religious settlement
peninsular
Spanish colonist who had been born in Spain
mercantilism
the idea that colonies exist to make the home country wealthy and powerful
northwest passage
a sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific that passed through or around North America
alliance
an agreement between parties that benefits them both
