Spanish Main

The Spanish Main was a name given to the mainland of the Spanish Empire in Central and South America. From the 16th to the 18th century the Spanish Main was a source of enormous wealth in the form of gold, silver, gems, spices, hardwoods, hides and other treasures, which were transported to Spain by the Spanish treasure fleets. It was also a haunt of pirates and privateers.

See also

• History of Spain
• Spanish treasure fleet