Exploration and Settlement timeline By estefaniachavez1 1492 Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean 1513 Balboa "discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama 1513 Balboa "discover" the Pacific Ocean in Panama 1521 Cortes conquers the Aztecs Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) 1521 Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City) 1539 De soto explores the region between Florida and the MIssissippi River 1607 First permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia 1607 First permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia 1620 Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts 1620 Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts 1676 English settlers defeat Native American in King Philip's War 1676 English settlers defeat Native American in King Philip's War 1682 France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana 1682 France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana