What European country sent the first explorers to the region that is now New York state?

France sent the first explorers to the region that is now New York state.

Italian explorer Giovanni Verrazzano, sailing for France in 1524, discovered New York Bay.

In 1609, French soldier and sailor Samuel de Champlain explored what is now northern New York and claimed it for France.

However, the Dutch were the first to colonize New York, beginning with Fort Orange (now Albany) in 1624 and New Amsterdam (now New York City) in 1626.

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