Why was Jamestown was founded?

The Jamestown settlement in the Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. It was located on the east bank of the Powhatan (James) River about 2.5 mi (4 km) southwest of the center of modern Williamsburg. William Kelso writes that Jamestown "is where the British Empire began". read more

Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first successful permanent English settlement in what would become the United States. The settlement thrived for nearly 100 years as the capital of the Virginia colony; it was abandoned after the capital moved to Williamsburg in 1699. read more

The main reason why Jamestown was founded is that a group of English people wanted to make their fortunes. They knew, of course, of the riches that had been found by various Spanish explorers in South America and they hoped that they could find ways to become rich in North America as well. read more