Early colonial settlements by the Spanish and French were significant in shaping the history of the Americas. Here's an overview of some of their early attempts:

Spanish Settlements:

1. Hispaniola (1493): The island of Hispaniola (present-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic) was among the first areas colonized by the Spanish (source).

2. St. Augustine, Florida (1565): Founded by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement within the borders of the continental United States (source).

3. Santa Fe, New Mexico (1607-1608): Founded by Spanish colonists, Santa Fe became a significant Spanish settlement and remains one of the oldest cities in the United States (source).

French Settlements:

1. Fort Caroline, Florida (1564): Established by French Huguenots, Fort Caroline was one of the earliest French settlements in what is now the United States. However, it was short-lived and was overtaken by the Spanish in 1565 (source).

2. Quebec City, Canada (1608): Founded by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City became one of the most significant French settlements in North America (source).

3. Montreal, Canada (1642): Another important French settlement, Montreal was established as a mission and grew into a major city (source).

These early settlements laid the groundwork for further European exploration and colonization of the Americas.