The French colonization of Americas began in 16th century and continued in the following centuries. France began to establish colonies in North America, the Caribbean and India, following Spanish and Portuguese successes during the Age of Discovery, in rivalry with Britain for supremacy. In North America, France had colonies in Canada (New France, and nearby lands: Acadia, Newfoundland, Hudson Bay, Saint Lawrence River, Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, and Quebec), and in today's United States of America (The Fourth Saint Louise in Texas, Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Fort Caroline in French Florida and Louisiana (New France)).
