1. COLONIAL AMERICA The Thirteen Colonies
The United States was formed from thirteen British colonies in Many of these colonies had been around for well over 100 years including the first colony of Virginia which was founded in 1607.

2. Why were the colonies established?
Queen Elizabeth wanted to establish colonies in the Americas in order to grow the British Empire and to counter the Spanish. The English hoped to find wealth, create new jobs, and establish trade ports along the coast of the Americas. Each colony, however, has its own unique history on how it was founded. Many of the colonies were founded by religious leaders or groups looking for religious freedom. These colonies included Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Other colonies were founded purely in hopes of creating new trade opportunities and profits for investors. 

3. Colonial Regions
The colonies are often divided up into three regions including the New England Colonies, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. 

4. New England Colonies Connecticut Massachusetts New Hampshire
Rhode Island
The first permanent settlement was Plymouth Colony, established by Pilgrims who came to the New World on the Mayflower in New England's main source of commerce was its fish and timber.

5. Middle Colonies Delaware New Jersey New York Pennsylvania
These colonies were created to be more tolerant to various religious beliefs, and the population grew to include a variety of backgrounds.

6. Southern Colonies
The Southern Colonies were dominated by a desire to make money in the new American marketplace, which led to the development of large plantations and an agriculturally-focused society. Georgia Maryland North Carolina South Carolina Virginia

8. Colonizing America

9. Interesting Facts about the Thirteen Colonies
Other American British colonies that never became states include the Lost Colony of Roanoke and Plymouth Colony (which became part of Massachusetts Bay Colony).
Life was difficult for the early colonists. Less than half of the first settlers survived the first winter at both Jamestown (Virginia) and at the Plymouth Colony.
Many of the colonies were named after the rulers of England including the Carolinas (for King Charles I), Virginia (for the Virgin Queen Elizabeth), and Georgia (for King George II).
Massachusetts was named after a local tribe of Native Americans.
New York City was originally called New Amsterdam and was part of the Dutch colony of New Netherland.
Each of the 13 colonies had their own self-government but only the white men were allowed to vote for who they wanted their governor to be.