A viceroyalty is a large administrative region established by a colonial power, typically governed by a viceroy. The viceroy acts as the representative of the monarch, overseeing the region's political, economic, and social affairs. This system was commonly used during the age of exploration, particularly by Spain in the Americas. The most notable viceroyalties included the Viceroyalty of New Spain, which covered parts of North America, and the Viceroyalty of Peru, which encompassed much of South America. These regions played a crucial role in the administration of colonial territories and the extraction of resources for the European powers.