Early Explorers

  • Juan Ponce de Leon
    1513

    Juan Ponce de Leon

    Known for the the first official European expedition to Florida and the first governor of Puerto Rico.
  • Vasco Nunez de Balboa
    1513

    Vasco Nunez de Balboa

    He was known for the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming the first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the pacific from the new world
  • Ferdinand Magellan
    1519

    Ferdinand Magellan

    Organised the Spanish expedition to the East Indies from 1519 to 1522 resulting in the first circumnavigation of the Earth, which was completed by Juan Sebastian
  • Hernan Cortes
    1521

    Hernan Cortes

    He was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the call of the Aztec empire and bought large portions of what is now mexico
  • Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
    1527

    Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca

    He was a Spanish explorer of the new world
  • Francisco Pizarro
    1531

    Francisco Pizarro

    Known for his expedition which is led to Peru. He was born in a poor family and chose to pursue fortune and adventure in the new world
  • Francisco Vazquez de Coronado
    1540

    Francisco Vazquez de Coronado

    He was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who led to a large expedition from Mexico to present-day Kansas
  • Hernando de Soto
    1541

    Hernando de Soto

    He was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who was involved in expeditions in Nicaragua and the Yucatan Peninsula
  • Juan Rodriguez
    1542

    Juan Rodriguez

    He was a Iberian maritime explorer best known for investigations of the west coast of north america, undertaken on behalf of the Spanish empire