Final answer:
The Vikings settled in England, Iceland, Normandy, and attempted to form colonies in Greenland and North America. Their navigation skills allowed them to trade widely and influence local cultures. However, their North American settlements were not permanent, likely due to conflicts with Indigenous peoples.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Vikings extensively explored and settled in new territories during their time. Starting around 850 CE, they established farms and settlements in places like England, Iceland, and Normandy in northern France, which would later have a significant historical impact, even leading to the conquest of England. They found lands that hadn't been inhabited, such as Iceland and also attempted settlements in Greenland and North America, specifically in what is now Newfoundland, Canada.
Vikings were also recognized for their navigation skills and seafaring capabilities, essential for their exploration and raids throughout Europe including places like Constantinople, employing their longships for transportation. They formed notable colonies and engaged in widespread trade, allowing them to interact as far as Baghdad in the Abbasid Caliphate.
The settlements they created in various regions blossomed into trade centers and significantly influenced local cultures. For instance, in England, they left an imprint on the English language and literary traditions. However, their attempts at colonizing regions like Newfoundland were short-lived due to conflicts with Indigenous peoples, and by the 1400s, Greenlandic Viking settlements also disappeared. Nevertheless, their legacy lived on through stories and sagas that influenced later explorers like Christopher Columbus.