1. New World (the Americas): Spain's control of significant parts of the Americas, particularly Central America and South America, allowed them to obtain precious metals, including gold and silver, from the mines in these regions. The flow of these resources played a crucial role in the Spanish economy.
2. China (Ming Dynasty): Spain engaged in trade with China, mainly through the Manila-Acapulco trade route. Silver mined in the Americas was exported to China in exchange for Chinese goods such as silk, porcelain, and spices.
3. India (Mughal Empire): Spain also traded with India, using the Portuguese-controlled port of Goa as a hub. The trade involved the exchange of Spanish silver for Indian commodities like textiles, spices, and precious stones.
4. The Philippines: The Spanish established a strong presence in the Philippines during the 16th century and used it as a hub for trade with other Southeast Asian countries, such as Brunei and Malacca. Commodities from these regions were then transported to Spain and Europe.
5. North Africa (Maghreb): Spain had trading connections with North African regions, including Morocco and Algeria. These exchanges involved goods like wheat, olive oil, and dried fruits from North Africa in return for Spanish manufactured goods and other products.
6. Italy: Spain maintained trade ties with Italian city-states, particularly Genoa and Venice. These connections facilitated the flow of luxury goods, art, and spices between the Mediterranean region and Spain.
7. France: France was another important trading partner for Spain, with exchanges involving products like wine, textiles, and other goods.
8. Flanders (present-day Belgium and the Netherlands): The Spanish Netherlands (present-day Belgium and parts of the Netherlands) were under Spanish rule during this period. Trade with this region involved the exchange of Spanish wool and other raw materials for finished goods, such as tapestries and textiles.
These are just some examples of the many trading partners and regions that Spain engaged with during the 16th century. The control over vast territories in the Americas and the establishment of trade routes contributed to Spain's economic prosperity and its position as a global power at that time.