Final answer:
The French played a substantial role in settling the land west of the Mississippi River, focusing on fur trade and leaving a lasting impact through place names and land-use patterns. Spain was the first to establish colonies in the Americas, with European powers like England and France following and influencing the continent's evolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the European powers that settled land west of the Mississippi River, it was the French who colonized the area. They established settlements in eastern Canada, the Great Lakes region, and the Mississippi River Valley. Even though they had fewer settlers compared to other colonies, the French influence is still noticeable today through various place names and land-use patterns.
These areas included fur-rich regions where the French engaged in trade, significantly influencing both the European and Native American societies present at the time.
Moreover, it is also important to note that other European nations, including Spain and Britain, had established colonies in other parts of the Americas. Spain established the first colonies in the Americas, initiating the era of Atlantic exploration before other European countries such as England and France. As colonization expanded, settlements, trade, and conflicts shaped the development of the continent.