spanish explorers timeline

Vincente Yáñez Pinzon

Jan 1, 1499

In 1499, Vincente Pinzon sailed to the Brazilian coast (at a cape he named Santa María de la Consolación). From there, he sailed northwest to the Amazon River, whose mouth he explored. He sailed north to northeastern Venezuela (to the Gulf of Paria) and then returned to Spain.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Jan 1, 1513

He was the first European to see the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean, after crossing the Isthmus of Panama overland. Also in that same year Balboa married the daughter of Careta, the local Indian chief. Soon after, he sailed with hundreds of Spaniards and Indians across the Gulf of Uraba to the Darien Peninsula.

Bernal Diaz del Castillo

Jan 1, 1514

was a Spanish historian and soldier who chronicled the Spanish conquest of Mexico. In 1514, he went to America as a soldier, with Pedrarias Dávila, the new governor of Darien.

Alonso Alvarez de Pineda

Jan 1, 1519

was a Spanish explorer and map-maker. De Pineda sailed for the Spanish Governor of Jamaica, Francisco de Garay, who sent him to explore and chart the Gulf Coast from Florida to Mexico. Captain De Pineda and his crew were probably the first Europeans in Texas, claiming it for Spain. One of the regions he explored and mapped was the area around Corpus Christi Bay; De Pineda entered Corpus Christi Bay on the feast day of Corpus Christi, hence the name.

Hernán Cortés

Jan 1, 1521

Cortes sailed with 11 ships from Cuba to the Yucatan Peninsula to look for gold, silver, and other treasures. Hearing rumors of great riches, Cortés traveled inland and "discovered" Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire. He then brutally killed the Aztec emperor Montezuma and conquered his Aztec Empire of Mexico, claiming all of Mexico for Spain. Treasures from the Aztecs were brought to Spain, and Cortés was a hero in his homeland. Cortés was made governor of the colony of new spain.

Andres de Urdaneta

Jan 1, 1525

was a Spanish explorer who accompanied Garcia Jofre de Loaysa on the second sailing expedition around the world when he was 17 years old. On this 1525 trip, only one ship of the original seven survived.

Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón

Jan 1, 1526

Was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who tried to start a colony in North America in 1526. He was the first European colonizer of what is now South Carolina. His attempt to settle the coast of the Carolinas was unsuccessful. He sailed from Hispaniola to South Carolina the settlers included African slaves. Lucas Vazquez De Ayllon then got into a fight which resulted the african americans to leave and join the native americans.

Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca

Jan 1, 1527

was a Spanish explorer who sailed to North America from Spain, leaving in 1527. He traveled from Florida to Texas on a raft, then walked from Texas to Mexico City. He also explored the Paraguay River in South America. De Vaca and his fellow travelers were the first Europeans to see the bison, or American buffalo.

Panfilo de Narvaez

Jan 1, 1528

was granted the land of Florida by the Emperor Charles V in 1526. He led an expedition there with 300 men, including Cabeza de Vaca. After surviving a hurricane near Cuba, his expedition landed on the west coast of Florida (near Tampa Bay) in April, 1528, claiming the land for Spain.

Hernando De Soto

Jan 1, 1536

was a Spanish explorer who sailed the Atlantic Ocean and was the first European to explore Florida and the southeastern US.

Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo

Jan 1, 1542

was a Spanish or Portuguese explorer (his nationality is uncertain). Cabrillo was the first European explorer of the Californian coast. In 1542, he sailed from Acapulco to southern California, claiming California for King Charles I of Spain. Cabrillo named San Diego Bay and Santa Barbara. He died on San Miguel Island (in the Santa Barbara Channel) after a fight with Indians, from complications resulting from a broken leg.