Big 12 Explorers

Columbus - Spain Sailed west to Indies Landed in the Bahamas Sailed for Spain (King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella

Magellan – Portugal Searched for passage to Pacific Ocean Sailed through “straits of Magellan” Died in Philippines Crew lst to circumnavigate the world

Cabot – Great Britain Sailed for England Landed on coast of New-foundland, Canada Gave England claim to North America

Ponce de Leon - Spain 1st to land on the mainland of North America Looking for “fountain of youth” Established St. Augustine, Florida First governor of Puerto Rico

De Soto - Spain Sailed for Spain Explored Mississippi River – Present-day Oklahoma First to cross the Mississippi

Coronado - Spain Looking for fabled seven cities of gold Explored present-day Mexico - Kansas

Cortes - Spain Spanish Conquistador Conquered Aztec emperor Montezuma in modern day Mexico

Balboa - Spain Spanish Explorer Claimed Pacific Ocean and adjoining lands for Spain Crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific

Pizzaro - Spain Conquered the Inca Empire Founded Lima, Puru

Vespucci - Italy Amerigo Vespucci First to demonstrate that the New World was not Asia America was named after him

Bartolomeu Dias - Portugal First to sail around the tip of Africa Found sea route from Europe to Asia.

Vasco da Gama - Portugal First European to reach India Started European rule in India