During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, New Spain (the Mexico of today) was a center piece to Spain's exploration and trade with Asia. During this period, many significant advances were made in the way new lands were governed, planned and developed. Advances in navigation and oceanic commerce were all significant factors in New Spain being the pivotal point in Spain's success.
Many of Mexico's cities still show the benefits of this era of incredible advancement.
The longest transoceanic route
- Spain organized the "Indies run" from the port of Seville. This comprised a network of communications that for the first time acquired planetary dimensions; it meant that every year the thousands of kilometres separating the Philippines from Europe would be covered by shipping routes.
- Sailing on and on
- Navigation was based on advances in the science of cartography and their dissemination in printed form. Navigation techniques evolved as a result of the invention of specific instruments for this purpose.
- Ships, galleons, frigates and corvettes.
- In those days, shipping vessels were the most complex machines of the time, the galleon being the most oustanding example of available technology.
- The "Virreinato" of New Spain
- The Spanish Crown organized a set of institutions for the administration and government of its territories in the New World.
- The "Cuadrícula"
- In the New World, Spain carried out one of the greatest town-planning ventures of all times, and all projects were based on a common model: the "cuadrícula", or grid pattern.
- The Pacific route to the Orient
- Transoceanic voyages set off from the eastern coasts of New Spain in an effort to find a new route leading to Asia, as there was a race with the Portuguese to be the first to arrive there. This is the second leg of the journey: the sea once more.
