Final answer:
New France and New Netherland were mid-17th-century French and Dutch colonies in North America focused on the fur trade. New Netherland was centered in present-day New York, while New France spanned from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico. Both started as modest operations and did not initially attract many settlers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mid-17th century was a period of colonial expansion in North America by European powers. New France and New Netherland were two such colonies established by France and the Dutch Republic, respectively. These settlements were primarily engaged in the fur trade and had relatively slow population growth compared to massive Spanish territories.
New Netherland was based around Manhattan Island, Long Island, the Hudson River Valley, and parts of what is now New Jersey. Dutch influence extended into the North American interior through trade with native populations. In contrast, New France was primarily concentrated along the St. Lawrence River with habitants, French farmer-settlers, living a modest life. French fur traders and missionaries ventured further, exploring the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River, leading to greater territorial claims.
However, this growth was gradual. By the late 17th and early 18th centuries, New France expanded, becoming a royal colony under King Louis XIV in 1663. This expansion saw French influence stretch through the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, culminating in the founding of New Orleans in 1718. Meanwhile, the Dutch colony of New Netherland was brief, being ceded to England and becoming New York in 1664.