Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?

The correct answer, Native Americans, is the appropriate choice because these groups were the original inhabitants of the Americas long before European exploration and settlement began in the late 15th century. They established diverse cultures, languages, and societies across the continent, each adapted to their specific environments.

Colonists and settlers are terms that refer to European populations who came to the Americas to establish new communities and exploit resources, particularly during the 16th to 18th centuries. Immigrants generally refer to individuals who move from one country to another, often seeking better opportunities, which again primarily pertains to those arriving after the European discoveries. Therefore, Native Americans represent the indigenous peoples who had been living on the continent for thousands of years prior to these later arrivals.