Explorers who explored some time between 1500-1550

Pedro Álvares Cabra

Apr 22, 1500

Pedro Álvares Cabra was a Portuguese explorer who went on an expidition to India. On April 22 he sighted Brazil then claiming it for Portugal and naming it the Island of the True Cross.

Afonso de Albuquerque

Mar 6, 1510

Afonso de Albuquerque Portuguese explorer who sailed to the spice islands trying to monopolize trade from there he sailed around Africa to the Indian Ocean. In March 1510 he claimed Goa for Portugal.

Juan Ponce de Leon

Mar 10, 1521

Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer who was the firt european to set foot in Florida. Also the oldest European settlement in Puerto Rico was established by him and he discovered the Gulf Stream.

Hernán Cortés

Dec 13, 1521

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish explorer who overthrew the Aztec empire and claimed Mexico for Spain.

Vasco da Gama

Jan 22, 1524

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who discovered an ocean route from Portugal to the East.

Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón

Oct 7, 1526

Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón was a spanish explorer who tried to start a colony in North America, Also what is now South carolina was colonized by him.

Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca

Apr 10, 1527

Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca was a Spanish explorer who traveled from Florida to Texas on a raft, then walked from Texas to Mexico City and explored all of those places. He also explored the Paraguay River. He and His followers were the first Europeans to see the Bison , or American Buffalo

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Nov 3, 1527

Vasco Nunez de Balboa was a spanish explorer who sailed to North America, then traveled from Florida to Texas, then from there he went to mexico city. He then explored the Paraguay River in South America. Vasco and his friends were the first to see the Bison.

Panfilo de Narvaez

Jul 23, 1528

Panfilo de Narvaez was a Spanish explorer who helped conquer Cuba in 1511 then led a expedition to North America. Panfilo de Narvaez was granted the land of Florida by the Emperor Charles V in 1526. Another expedition landed on the west coast of Florida, caliming that land for spain.

Jacques Cartier

Aug 6, 1541

Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who sailed inland trying to start a settlement in Qubec but it failed he then named Canada "kanata". After that he named the entire region Canada.

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo

Jan 29, 1542

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo nationality is uncetain. Juan sailed from Acapulco to southern California then claiming California for the King of Spain.