Early European Explorers Helen Chaney OKAGE Teacher Consultant

Bartolomeu Dias (1487) A Portuguese sailor Blown off course by a storm Sailed around the southern tip of Africa Proved it was possible to sail to Africa’s east coast and on to India

Christopher Columbus (1492) Sailed to the islands of the West Indies trying to find Asia in search of spices Believed he could reach Asia by sailing West across the Atlantic Ocean Asked King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to fund his trip

Vasco de Gama (1498) Led the first Portuguese voyage to India Given the title “Admiral of the Indian Seas” Established several Portuguese colonies in East Africa and India

Vasco Núñez de Balboa (1513) Sailed to and crossed the Isthmus of Panama in Central America Reached the Pacific Ocean in 1513, naming it “Mar del Sur” (the Southern Sea)

Juan Ponce de León (1513) First Spanish conquistador to reach what is now the United States looking for gold Claimed Florida for Spain Searched for the “Fountain of Youth”

Hernán Cortés (1519) Spanish conquistador Led an expedition to Mexico in search of gold Defeated the Aztecs with the help of the Aztec’s enemies

Ferdinand Magellan ( ) Sailed for Spain Believed that he could sail West, go around South America and end up back in Spain Named the Pacific Ocean Died in battle in the Philippine Islands

Hernando de Soto ( ) A Spanish conquistador Conquered and settled in Florida Went to present day Georgia First European explorer to reach the Mississippi River

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado ( ) Spanish conquistador Led an expedition into North America Searched for some legendary cities of gold

Henry Hudson (1609 and 1610) Searched for Northwest Passage Sailed for the Netherlands in 1609 and England in 1610 Sailed up present day Hudson River Discovered and named Hudson Bay

Robert de La Salle (1682) Explored the Mississippi river region Claimed the Mississippi River and all the land around it for France Named this vast area of Louisiana after King Louis XIV of France

Land Ho!!!!!