Where were/when were the Spanish colonies formed?

Answer 1

Under Charles V (1500-02-24 - 1558-09-21) and Philip II (1527-05-21 – 1598-09-13) the Spanish Empire expanded to include nearly all of South and Central America, Mexico, southern portions of today's United States, the Philippines in Eastern Asia, the Iberian peninsula (including the Portuguese empire (from 1580)), southern Italy, Sicily, as well as parts of modern Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

"Spain : Rise as a world power: From the Renaissance to the 19th century" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain#Rise_as_a_world_power:_From_the_Renaissance_to_the_19th_century

"Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_I_of_Spain#Abdication_and_later_life

"Philip II of Spain" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_II_of_Spain

"Habsburg Spain" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habsburg_Spain