Final answer:
Juan de Oñate established the first permanent colony in New Mexico in 1598, prior to the founding of Santa Fe in 1610.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1598, Juan de Oñate played a pivotal role in establishing the first permanent colony in what is now New Mexico, laying the foundation for Spanish colonization in the region. Although Santa Fe was founded later in 1610, Oñate's settlement marked a significant milestone in Spanish expansion into North America.
This period of colonization followed Spain's earlier establishment of St. Augustine in Florida in 1565, reflecting a broader effort to explore, colonize, and seek wealth in the American Southwest. Oñate's venture contributed to the Spanish presence in the region, fostering cultural exchange and shaping the trajectory of European exploration and settlement in North America. The establishment of the New Mexico colony underscored Spain's strategic ambitions and its pursuit of economic opportunities and territorial expansion during the age of exploration.