Explorers Chart Unit 3

Juan Ponce De Leon Explored For – Spain Explored – N. America Why – Searching for the Fountain of Youth Date – 1513 What – Present Day Florida Description – Set sail from Puerto Rico and sailed around Florida became the 1st Spanish to set foot in the United States.

Hernando Cortez From – Spain Explored – The Aztec Empire in what is now Mexico Why – Sent by the Spanish government to look for gold. When – 1519 – 1538 Accomplished conquering the Aztec Empire Description – Sailed from Spain to Mexico.

Franciso Pizarro Country – Spain Explored the West Coast of S. America near the Andes Mts. Why – Searching for an empire that was richer and more powerful than the Aztecs. When – 1531 – 1535 Accomplished conquering the Inca Empire. Description – Sailed from Panama and landed in S. America on the west coast.

Ferdinand Magellan Portuguese Explored around Brazil & S. America. Passed through the Straight of Magellan, across the pacific Ocean, Philippines, and back to Spain. Why – Wanted to reach Asia west around the Americas When – 1519 – 1522 Accomplished – One of his ships was the 1st to sail around the world. He died on his voyage. Description – From Spain westward to Asia

Samuel de Champlain French Explored the forest of eastern Canada Why – Sent to map the places where beavers were found. When – 1603 Discovered the 1st settlement in Quebec Description – Sailed from France to Canada

Hernando De Soto Spain Explored the Southeastern part of the United States Why – Searching for gold When – 1539 – 1542 He became the first European to see the Mississippi River. Route – Left Spain and traveled to Florida then Georgia then South Carolina then North Carolina the Tennessee and ended in Alabama.

Jacques Cartier France Explored the Gulf of St, Lawrence Why – Searching for a water route to Asia, the Northwest Passage. When – 1534 He achieved sailing up the St. Lawrence River and began a fur trade with Huron. Sailed from Spain to the Northern part of North America.

Francisco Coronado Spain Explored Southwestern North America. Why – was searching for Seven Cities of Gold. When – 1540 – 1542 He led an expedition from Mexico City to Southwestern United States. From Mexico to Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

Christopher Columbus Italian born Spanish explorer Explored the Island of Guanahani Why – Searching for a way to reach Asia by sailing West instead of going around Africa. When – 1492 He discovered a new land which is now known as the Americas. He walked thousands of miles through mountains and deserts to go from Italy to China.

Marco Polo Italy Explored Asia Why – Went with his father and uncle who were traders and had heard stories of the riches of the land. When – 1271 He wrote a book about his travel to Asia that helped Europeans.

Amerigo Vespucci Italy Explored present day America. Why – He wanted to prove that Christopher Columbus did not reach Asia. When – 1499-1501 He determined that the land was a new continent. America was named after him. Sailed down the coast of South America.

Vasco de Gama Portugal Explored around the southern tip of South Africa. Why – He was looking for a sea route to Asia. When – Between 1497-1499 Found a sea route to Asia . Was able to reach India and bring a ship full of spices back to Portugal. Left Europe and went around the southern tip of Africa then to Asia. Sailed around the Cape of Good hope to India.

Balboa Spain Explored the west coast near the Isthmus of Panama. Why – Looking for a route to Asia When – 1513 1st European to see the Pacific ocean, reach the western coast of Americas, & proved the Americas were separate from Asia. Left Spain and went through the Isthmus of panama which connects North and South America.