<P> Spain's administration of its colonies in the Americas was divided into the Viceroyalty of New Spain 1535 (capital, Mexico City), and the Viceroyalty of Peru 1542 (capital, Lima). In the 18th century the additional Viceroyalty of New Granada 1717 (capital, Bogotá), and Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata 1776 (capital, Buenos Aires) were established from portions of the Viceroyalty of Peru . The change diminished the political and economic power of the viceroyalty and opened formal connections between the mining district of Upper Peru and the port of Buenos Aires . </P> <P> The system of crown rule evolved from the era of the Catholic Monarchs, which established the Council of the Indies, to the establishment of viceroyalties in Mexico and Peru following their conquests in the Hapsburg era, and then into an Intendant system in the eighteenth century as part of the Bourbon Reforms . The reform was aimed at increasing crown control over its colonies, raising more revenue, and promoting greater efficiency . </P> <Ul> <Li> Viceroyalty of New Spain (1535--1821) <Ul> <Li> Las Californias </Li> <Li> Nuevo Reino de León </Li> <Li> Nuevo Santander </Li> <Li> Nueva Vizcaya </Li> <Li> Santa Fe de Nuevo México </Li> <Li> Nueva Extremadura </Li> <Li> Nueva Galicia </Li> <Li> Captaincy General of Guatemala </Li> </Ul> </Li> <Li> Captaincy General of the Philippines (administered by New Spain from 1565 to 1821, then after Mexican independence transferred to and directly administered by Madrid until 1898) </Li> <Li> Captaincy General of Cuba (until 1898)--Included in this captaincy general until 1819 was Florida . </Li> <Li> Captaincy General of Puerto Rico (until 1898) </Li> <Li> Santo Domingo (last Spanish rule 1861--1865) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Viceroyalty of New Spain (1535--1821) <Ul> <Li> Las Californias </Li> <Li> Nuevo Reino de León </Li> <Li> Nuevo Santander </Li> <Li> Nueva Vizcaya </Li> <Li> Santa Fe de Nuevo México </Li> <Li> Nueva Extremadura </Li> <Li> Nueva Galicia </Li> <Li> Captaincy General of Guatemala </Li> </Ul> </Li>

In order to administer its latin american possessions what did spain do