Spanish/Portugese Explorers

Prince Henry

Jan 1, 1420

Prince Henry, a Portugese explorer, started the first school for oceanic navigation in 1418. From this school, Prince Henry was hoping to accomplish sailing to West Africa. Throughout his life, Henry began the "Great Age of Discovery' by making maps of West Africa from his travels, spreading Christianity, and establishing trade routes. More Info.

Bartolomeu Dias

Jan 1, 1488

Bartolomeu Dias, a Portugese Explorer, led the first voyage around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. This is significant as it opened sea routes to Asia from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Dias also searched for the lands of Prester John, a made up priest/ruler. More Info.

Ponce de Leon

Jan 1, 1490

Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish Explorer, was the first European to see Florida. He sailed with Christopher Columbus on his second trip to the Americas. A major accomplishment of Ponce de Leon was his discovery of the gulf stream. This discovery proved to be very important for Spanish explorers. More Info.

Christopher Columbus

Aug 3, 1492

Christopher Columbus went on multiple trips, discovering many new places in the Americas on his voyages. He set sail from Palos, Spain, sailing for the King and Queen of Spain. Having troubles along the way, Columbus' ship was wrecked and one of his crew members tried to beat him back to Spain. In all, Columbus sailed to Venezuela, El Salvador, the Carribean Islands, Haiti, the Dominican Republic (Where he is now buried),Trinidad, Mexico,and more. <a href='http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explo

Vasco De Gama

Jan 1, 1497

Vasco de Gama, a Portugese explorer, is creditted with discovering an ocean route to the east from Portugal. He started his journey in Lisbon, Portugal, went around the Cape of Good Hope, all the way to India, and back. His trip lasted from 1497-1499, and proved that the Indian Ocean was connected to other seas. More Info.

Amerigo Vespucci

Jan 1, 1499

Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer (who sailed for Portugal), was the first to discover Brazil and the Amazon River. Vespucci's biggest accomplishment came with his mathematic skills. He was able to calculate the distance he had traveled and estimated the size of the world within 5o miles. More Info.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Sep 1, 1513

More Info.Vasco Nunez de Balboa, of Spain, was the first European that saw the eastern part of the Pacific. In doing so, he was the first to cross the Isthmus of Panama. Balboa led an expedition through rainforests, fighting off locals, and evetually reached a peak in Darien, Panama (Where he saw the east Pacific from).
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Hernan Cortes

Mar 1, 1519

Hernan Cortes, a Spanish explorer, is best known for his march across Mexico where he conquered the Aztec Empire. He began this journey in 1519 with 600 men, making friends with the Tlaxcalans (enemies of the Aztecs). Together they tried to conquer the Aztecs but failed on their first attempt. They returned in 1521 and captured the city of Tenochtitlán.More Info.

Ferdinand Magellan

Sep 20, 1519

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portugese explorer that led the first sailing voyage around the world. His trip began in 1519 in Seville, Spain and ended three years later on September 6, 1522. This trip was significant as Magellan discovered many unknown places such as the Philippines. Enchanted Learning <a href='http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/people-timelines/13-ferdinand-magellan-timeline.htm' >Magell

Fransisco Pizzaro

Jan 1, 1532

Fransisco Pizzaro, a Spanish Conquistador, is creditted with discovering/ conquering the Incan Empire. He arrived in San Mateo Bay in 1532 after traveling through deserts and mountains. He captured Atahuallpa (the emperor), and then murdered him on August 29, 1533. More Info.