In what year did New Spain formalize its territory that included Texas?

The year 1535 is significant as it marks the formal establishment of the viceroyalty of New Spain, a governance structure that was crucial for overseeing and administering the vast territories claimed by Spain in the Americas, including Texas. This year is pivotal because it represented the centralization of Spanish colonial authority, allowing for better management and control over the regions populated by indigenous peoples and new Spanish settlers.

The establishment of this viceroyalty also laid the groundwork for the eventual exploration and colonization of Texas, positioning it as a part of the broader Spanish colonial empire. In contrast, the other years mentioned lack this specific importance in formalizing New Spain's governance structure. While 1492 is notable for Columbus’s landing in the Americas, and 1521 for the fall of the Aztec Empire, they do not directly pertain to Texas gaining formal recognition under Spanish administration. The year 1541 could refer to various exploratory missions, but it does not represent the establishment of New Spain itself.