The colonial period refers to the time when countries established colonies in other parts of the world. It lasted from the 1400s to the 1900s and involved long-distance travel and settlement. European powers created colonies in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Colonies were governed by officials from the controlling country. Settlements, farms, and trading posts were built in many regions. Goods such as sugar, spices, and metals were transported across oceans.

Different regions experienced colonial rule in different ways. Places like Latin America, India, and parts of Africa were shaped by these systems. Many colonies later became independent countries during the 1900s.