The New World

To conquer the New World:

-What faction do I have to play as to go to the NW?

-Are there specific tasks I have to do before I go to the NW?

-Do I have to wait to a specific year/turn to go to the NW?

You can play as any faction.

You have to wait until you get the ‘World is Round’ message.
(About turn 120. I can’t remember exactly).
The mini map will expand to the west to accommodate the new world, but the territory will be hidden by the fog of war.

You are then able to build the highest level of dockyard which gives you the ability to build ocean going ships.

The rest is plain (but slow) sailing.

Right when I got the message, I already had the port that allowed the ship to sail to America. I was playing as Spain and the second to the last port allows this.

Originally Posted by Sentinel

The rest is plain (but slow) sailing.

Not if you launch a crusade as soon as it appears on the map, right?

You cannot launch a crusade against new world settlements. You could launch one against another place, but you'd suffer desertion at sea too.

Thanks for the help.
I just found a guide that tells me all about the NW, but thanks anyway.