English colonization refers to the establishment of settlements and control over territories by the English in various parts of the world, particularly during the 16th to 18th centuries. This expansion was driven by the search for new resources, trade routes, and land. Key regions included North America, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa and Asia. The first successful English colony was Jamestown, founded in Virginia in 1607. Over time, the English established numerous colonies, leading to significant cultural, economic, and political impacts on both the colonizers and the indigenous populations. This period laid the groundwork for the future development of the British Empire.