Final answer:
Spain and Portugal were the primary European nations that dominated early exploration in the New World during the European Age of Discovery, starting in the late 1400s. England and France, as well as the Netherlands, joined the exploration efforts later, influenced by their own internal conflicts and geographical considerations. The competition and subsequent colonization had profound impacts on global trade, cultural exchanges, and the balance of power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The European nations that dominated early exploration in the New World were primarily Spain and Portugal. These two maritime powers took the lead during the European Age of Discovery starting in the late 1400s. Spain, benefiting from the experience gained during the Reconquista and the backing of the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas, explored vast new lands following Columbus's voyages. Portugal, under Prince Henry the Navigator, harnessed technologies like the compass and the caravel to establish trading ports in West Africa and India. The two nations divided the earth into zones of influence with the Treaty of Tordesillas and the Treaty of Zaragosa.
Other European countries also began to take part in the Age of Discovery, though they joined later due to a variety of internal and external conflicts. England and France, emerging as nation-states with strong monarchies in the 1500s, eventually began their own expeditions. They sought new territories to expand their global influence but initially lagged behind the Iberian leaders due to continuous warfare between themselves and internal issues such as the Protestant Reformation which diverted their attention from overseas exploration.
The Netherlands, among other nations, also took part in the race for colonization and trade, albeit at a slower pace compared to the Iberian front-runners. Overall, these explorations and colonizations had significant effects, including the spread of diseases, the exploitation of indigenous populations, the expansion of Christianity, and an increase in global trade which contributed to significant economic growth for European countries.