This question is a bit tricky! It depends on what you mean by "America" and "settled." Let's explore a few possibilities:
1. The First Humans in North America:
- The answer: The first humans to arrive in what we now call North America were Paleo-Indians. They crossed over from Asia via the Bering Land Bridge, a landmass that existed during the last Ice Age.
- When did they arrive? Evidence suggests they arrived around 15,000 to 20,000 years ago!
- How do we know? Archaeologists have found ancient tools, weapons, and remnants of settlements across North America, proving the presence of these early inhabitants.
2. The First European Settlers:
- The answer: The first European settlements in North America were established by Vikings led by Leif Erikson around the year 1000 AD.
- Where did they settle? They established a short-lived settlement called L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada.
- Why didn't they stay? The Vikings ultimately abandoned their settlement, possibly due to harsh weather conditions and conflicts with the indigenous inhabitants.
3. The First Permanent European Settlements:
- The answer: The first permanent European settlements in North America were established by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
- Examples: St. Augustine, Florida (1565) and Santa Fe, New Mexico (1610) are two of the oldest surviving European settlements in what is now the United States.
4. The First English Settlers:
- The answer: The first English settlements in North America were established in the early 17th century.
- Examples: Jamestown, Virginia (1607) and Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620) are two of the most famous early English settlements.
It's important to remember that indigenous peoples were already living in North America long before any European settlers arrived. They had their own cultures, languages, and traditions, and their presence predates any European arrival.
For more information on the history of early settlements in North America, check out the website of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: https://humanorigins.si.edu/
