Why did European nations like England and France search for a new water route to Asia in the 1500s and 1600s?

They were primarily interested in discovering new continents previously unknown to Europeans.

The established southern sea routes were already controlled by their rivals, Spain and Portugal.

They were trying to find a faster way to escape conflicts happening within Europe.

Asian empires had closed all existing land and sea trade routes to them.

Which group of European countries were the main rivals to Spain and Portugal in the search for a northern route to Asia?

England, France, and the Netherlands

They discovered large deposits of gold in the northern regions.

They established new land claims and started colonies for their home countries.

They created perfectly accurate maps of the entire North American continent.

They formed a lasting military alliance with all Native American tribes.