<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> The Spanish missions in the Americas were Catholic missions established by the Spanish Empire during the 16th to 19th centuries in an area extending from Mexico and southwestern portions of what today are the United States to as far south as Argentina and Chile . </P> <P> At the start of the Age of Discovery, European governments sent explorers to find trade routes to facilitate economic relations with Asia and Europe . During this time, these men found the new lands that could be used for the economic benefit of their home countries . In order to understand these new lands and the resources that might be available, explorers fostered relationships with the native people . This led to the colonization of the Americas . The Catholic church was an essential part of both the Spanish and Portuguese Empires so as the empires spread to new lands it was the duty of the King to be sure Christianity was spread into the New World . </P> <P> Often these empires used missions to teach indigenous people about Christian values that were practiced in Europe at this time . These values did not only include religious teachings but cultural aspects of life such as dress and behavior . Missions were formed in different ways across the Americas and has had a lasting impact on the culture of these areas . Catholicism is still a prevalent religion in both North and South America . The formation and implementation of the missions across the New World reflected the beliefs of the Catholic clerics who created and implemented the missions . In the Catholic church, monks, priests and other clerics take vows and are affiliated with a certain order . These orders, their ideologies, and era can be linked to the way of life and teaching in the missions . </P>

Many of the first settlers came to american to pursue their religious free from