For the Spanish:
* The Americas:
* Mexico: The Aztecs were a wealthy civilization with vast gold and silver reserves, which the Spanish plundered after conquering the Aztec Empire in the 16th century.
* Peru: The Inca Empire, also rich in gold and silver, was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century, leading to the extraction of immense wealth.
* Caribbean Islands: Spanish conquistadors sought gold and silver in the Caribbean Islands, establishing sugar plantations and using enslaved labor to further enrich themselves.
* South America: Spanish explorers and conquistadors searched for El Dorado, a mythical city of gold, and explored the vast Amazon rainforest for its natural resources.
* The Philippines: The Spanish established a colonial presence in the Philippines in the 16th century, seeking spices, gold, and other valuable goods.
For the Portuguese:
* Africa: The Portuguese explored the west coast of Africa in the 15th century, establishing trading posts and engaging in the lucrative slave trade.
* India: The Portuguese established a presence in India in the 16th century, seeking spices, textiles, and other valuable goods. They controlled the trade routes for these commodities, becoming very wealthy.
* Brazil: The Portuguese claimed Brazil in the early 16th century, exploiting its natural resources like sugar, gold, and diamonds.
It's important to note that the "treasure" these European powers sought wasn't just gold and silver, but also included valuable spices, textiles, and other goods that were in high demand in Europe. Their pursuit of these treasures led to the colonization and exploitation of vast territories, with devastating consequences for the indigenous populations.