Spanish Main

Spanish Main

1. The coastal region of mainland Spanish America in the 16th and 17th centuries, extending from the Isthmus of Panama to the mouth of the Orinoco River.

2. The section of the Caribbean Sea crossed by Spanish ships in colonial times. The treasure-laden ships were often raided by English buccaneers.

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Spanish Main

n

1. (Historical Terms) the mainland of Spanish America, esp the N coast of South America from the Isthmus of Panama to the mouth of the Orinoco River, Venezuela

2. (Historical Terms) the Caribbean Sea, the S part of which in colonial times was the route of Spanish treasure galleons and the haunt of pirates