What country had established settlements and claimed land in north america first? what country was concerned with exploring in the sixteenth century, due to a civil war? what country was the most powerful country on the sea in the sixteenth century? what country’s sea captains found plundering other country’s ships more profitable than establishing colonies? what country won the skirmish in the english channel when the spanish armada tried to invade england? what country had settlements established in the southwest united states in the 1500s? what country had the first sailor to circumnavigate the globe to avoid being caught for piracy? what country had an invincible armada of 130 ships? what country’s settlement of the new world was developed by its royalty? what country’s settlement of the new world was developed by private investors?