New Netherland was a 17th-century Dutch colony located in parts of present-day New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Connecticut. Established by the Dutch West India Company in 1624, it served as a trading hub for fur and other goods. The capital of the colony was New Amsterdam, which later became New York City after the English seized control in 1664. The colony was characterized by its diverse population, including Dutch, English, French, and African settlers. Its economy relied on agriculture, trade, and the fur industry. The legacy of New Netherland is still evident today in place names and cultural influences in the region.