Viking expansion is the process by which the
Vikings sailed most of the
North Atlantic, reaching south to
North Africa and east to
Russia,
Constantinople and the
Middle East as looters, traders, colonists and mercenaries. Vikings under
Leif Ericson, the heir to
Erik the Red, reached North America and set up a short-lived settlement in present-day
L'Anse aux Meadows,
Newfoundland and Labrador,
Canada. Longer and more established settlements were formed in
Greenland,
Iceland,
Great Britain and
Normandy.