Fort Christina was a Swedish fort established in 1638 in what is now Wilmington, Delaware. It served as the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley and was named after Queen Christina of Sweden. The fort was built to protect the Swedish colony of New Sweden and played a crucial role in the early colonial history of the region. The fort was constructed using timber and earthworks, featuring a triangular shape. Over time, Fort Christina became a center for trade and interaction between European settlers and Native American tribes. Eventually, the area was taken over by the Dutch and later the English, marking significant changes in colonial control in North America.