Spanish explorers greatly affected the Age of Exploration. They discovered many new routes, new people, and “new” territory. Some of the explorers who impacted the Age of Exploration are Christopher Columbus, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, and Juan Ponce de Leon. Christopher Columbus, probably the most well-known and wealthiest explorer, added a new chapter to the Age of Exploration, for better or for worse. Until disproved recently, he was the first European to set foot on American soil, which had an extremely positive change on Europe, especially for Spain and Portugal. Columbus got funds from Spain and sailed west. When he reached land in the Bahamas, he thought he was in the Indies, but was indeed in America. Columbus discovered two whole new continents by simply believing there was nothing there. If he had not been crazy and determined enough to take a west route and try to be different, the world would not be the same. Columbus also changed everything for the Native Americans, but not positively. When he found America in 1493, the “Indians” were not treated peacefully or with any respect whatsoever.Juan Ponce de Leon changed the Age of Exploration. He was the first European to make contact with the Floridian tribes. During April 1513, he discovered the peninsula which is today known as Florida but was dubbed Pascua de Florida by Ponce, which means “place of flowers” in English. If Ponce de Leon had not discovered Florida, then history would be very different. Florida has lots of history, and Ponce de Leon triggered some of the events that happened. He paved the way for explorers like Pedro Menendez de Aviles to colonize Florida. Ponce was also the first conquistador to be honored by Spain in the way he was. When he came back from Florida to Puerto Rico, where he lived, and found his house was destroyed but his family alive, he sailed back to Spain. Upon arrival, the Spanish king knighted AND given his own special coat of arms. What an honor! Ponce de Leon must have been so revered in Spain, especially since he was buried in a church and then a cathedral. Only wealthy famous conquistadors get buried in cathedrals. He was definitely a prosperous man. So, Ponce’s contributions to Florida affected the world, and the way he was honored was also a milestone for Spanish conquistadors.READ: Pedro Menendez de Aviles was necessary to this era in several ways. He had several accomplishments in claiming land for Spain. Menendez was sent by Spain to drive out the French, which was crucial in getting more land for Spain. He was, in this way, just like any other explorer; he was out for gold, God, and glory. Menendez was also one of the few peaceful explorers who did not immediately attack at first sight of natives. In 1566, he signed a treaty with the Calusa tribe that stated the tribe would give food to the Spanish in exchange for gold, and married the leader’s sister, whom he converted to Catholicism along with the rest of the tribe. To further spread the religion among the natives, he shipped in priests from Spain. Meanwhile, he was taking control of Florida by starting the first permanent European settlement in America, St. Augustine, and made two watch towers, one in Cape Canaveral and one in Biscayne Bay. It was most likely appreciated by the Calusas that they were not massacred. Any tribe would pick the lifestyle of a Catholic worker (with gold!) over no life at all. Therefore, Menendez was just like any other explorer in some ways, but was more rational and peaceful than the rest.READ: Translation & Context of Famous Macbeth Quotes In conclusion, Christopher Columbus, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, and Juan Ponce de Leon were highly important figures to the Age of Exploration. Without Juan Ponce de Leon, Pedro Menendez de Aviles would have had to make connections with the tribes for the first time and probably would not have had Florida as Spain’s territory. Without Christopher Columbus, America would have probably not been discovered until much later if at all, and it would most likely not belong to Spain. Without any of them, Florida and the rest of the lower North and upper South America would not have any Spanish culture or background whatsoever. The Age of Exploration would not have been the same if not for these three revered explorers.
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Explorers and discoverers held a quintessential position in the old world civilization due to the nature of their work. Brave and courageous, explorers journeyed through oceans and deserts to find new lands and water. While some were motivated by the basic instinct of knowing the unknown, most others explored new lands for wealth, power, prestige and trade. Spreading of religion and expanding the empire were other important motives that prompted explorers and discoverers. Just like explorers from round the globe, Spanish explorers undertook voyages of discovery to spread the Spanish Empire and spread Catholic faith. Some of the most famous amongst them include Juan Ponce de Leon - the first European to set foot in Florida and establish the oldest European settlement in Puerto Rico, Juan de Onate y Salazar - the first to establish the colony of New Mexico for Spain, Fray Marcos de Niza - a priest who travelled the fabled seven golden cities and even reached the shores of America and Captai Alonso Alvarez de Pineda - a map maker who became the first European to set foot in Texas. Others include Hernando de Soto, Hernan Cortes, Francisco Pizarro, Diego Velazquez de Cuellar and so on. Check this section to get details about the life and profile of Spanish explorers. Vote for Your Favourite Spanish Explorers
Hernán Cortés ( Spanish Conquistador Who Led an Expedition that Caused the Fall of the Aztec Empire) Birthplace: Medellín, Spain Spanish "Conquistador" Hernán Cortés was one of the pioneers of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. He conquered the Aztec Empire and helped bring a massive portion of Mexico under the King of Castile’s rule in 16th century. As a reward, he was named the Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca. Juan Ponce de León Birthplace: Santervás de Campos Spanish explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce de León was the first governor of Puerto Rico but had to give away the governorship to Christopher Columbus's son, Diego. Juan led the first European expedition to Florida. He was knighted by King Ferdinand but died in an attempt to colonize coastal U.S. Francisco Pizarro Birthdate: March 16, 1478 Birthplace: Trujillo, Spain Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador best remembered for his expeditions that eventually paved the way for the Spanish conquest of Peru. Along with Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Pizarro became the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean after crossing the Isthmus of Panama. After two failed expeditions to Peru, Pizarro led a third and successful campaign to conquer Peru. Hernando de Soto Birthplace: Province of Badajoz, Spain Hernando de Soto was a Spanish conquistador and explorer best remembered for his expeditions in the Yucatan Peninsula and Nicaragua. The first documented European to have crossed the Mississippi River, Hernando de Soto is also remembered for guiding the first European expedition into the territory of the present-day USA. He also played a key role in the Conquest of Peru. Vasco Núñez de Balboa Birthplace: Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to reach the Pacific from the New World, when he crossed the Isthmus of Panama. He is remembered for his long-term conflict with Spanish administrator Pedrarias, who eventually charged Balboa with treason and ill-treatment of Indians. Balboa was eventually beheaded. Alvar N. C. de Vaca Birthplace: Jerez de la Frontera, Spain Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca led an expedition to Galveston, Texas, although most of his men died during the voyage. De Vaca then wandered around with the Native Americans, pretending to be a healer, and eventually reached Mexico. He later became the governor of Rio de la Plata. Francisco Vásquez de Coronado While Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado set out to find the mythical Seven Golden Cities of Cíbola, he discovered natural wonders such as the Grand Canyon and the Colorado river instead. His later exploration of Kansas, too, yielded nothing but sightings of the Natives who lived there. Birthplace: Zumarraga, Spain Diego Columbus (Spanish Explorer, 2nd Viceroy of the Indies (1511 – 1526) and 4th Governor of the Indies (1509 – 1518)) Birthplace: Porto Santo Island, Portugal Diego Columbus was an explorer and navigator who served under the Kings of Aragón and Castile. The oldest son of Christopher Columbus, Diego spent most of his time trying to regain the privileges and titles granted to his father and then denied in 1500. Juan de Oñate (1st Spanish Governor of New Mexico) Birthplace: Zacatecas, Mexico Juan Sebastián Elcano (Spanish Navigator, Ship-Owner and Explorer) Birthdate: November 30, 1476 Birthplace: Getaria, Spain Though Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan had started the first circumnavigation of the world, it was Basque explorer Juan Sebastián Elcano who completed it after Magellan’s death, manning the two ships left, despite issues such as scurvy and starvation. Elcano eventually died on a failed expedition to the Molucca Islands. Lope de Aguirre (Spanish Conquistador Known for His Expedition for El Dorado During 1560-61) Birthdate: November 8, 1510 Lope de Aguirre was a Spanish conquistador who lived and worked in South America. Dubbed the Madman, Aguirre is best remembered for his final expedition in search of Omagua and a mythical golden Kingdom known as El Dorado. Lope de Aguirre was killed during his last expedition down the Amazon River. Over the years, he has been antagonized in arts. Pedro Menéndez de Avilés (1st Governor of Florida (1565 - 1574)) Birthdate: February 15, 1519 Birthplace: Avilés, Asturias, Spain Remembered as the founder of St. Augustine in Florida, USA, Spanish admiral and explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés has also been credited with planning the first regular trans-Atlantic convoys. Ruthlessly loyal to the Spanish king, he massacred the entire population of a nearby French post and established a string of forts along the Atlantic coast to protect Spanish interests. Birthdate: March 13, 1499 Birthplace: Palma del Río, Spain Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo was an Iberian maritime explorer. He is best remembered for his explorations of the west coast of North America, which he undertook on behalf of the Spanish Empire. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo is also remembered as the first European to explore modern-day California. Pánfilo de Narváez (Spanish Conquistador and Soldier) Birthplace: Castile, Spain Panfilo de Narváez was a Spanish soldier and conquistador in the Americas. He is best remembered for his role in the conquest of Cuba where he led an expedition to Camagüey while escorting the famed historian and social reformer Bartolomé de las Casas. Panfilo de Narváez is also remembered for leading two failed expeditions in the 1520s. Pedro de Valdivia (Spanish Conquistador Who Founded Santiago and Concepción and Became the 1st Royal Governor of Chile) Birthdate: April 17, 1497 Birthplace: Málaga, Spain Alonso Álvarez de Pineda Birthplace: Aldeacentenera, Spain Diego de Almagro Birthplace: Almagro, Ciudad Real Diego de Almagro was a Spanish conquistador best remembered for his role in the Spanish conquest of Peru alongside fellow conquistador Francisco Pizarro. Diego is also credited with laying the foundation for cities like Trujillo and Quito in present-day Peru and Ecuador, respectively. Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar Birthplace: Cuellar, Spain Alonso de Ojeda (First European to Visit Guyana, Curaçao, Colombia, and Lake Maracaibo) Birthplace: Torrejoncillo del Rey, Spain Catalina de Erauso (Spanish Nun Known for Travelling Around Spanish America Under Male Identities) Birthdate: February 10, 1592 Birthplace: Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain Catalina de Erauso was a Spanish nun who fled from the convent and travelled around Spain and Spanish America. She did several odd jobs disguised as a man and also served as a soldier of fortune in Bolivia, Chile, Perú, and Argentina before returning to Spain where she supposedly visited the Pope. She became a muleteer in her later life. Juan de la Cosa (Navigator and Cartographer, known for designing the earliest European world map) Birthplace: Santoña, Spain Gonzalo Pizarro Birthplace: Trujillo, Spain Gonzalo Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador best remembered as the paternal half-brother of another popular conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Inca Empire. Gonzalo Pizarro and his brothers, who were collectively known as the Pizarro brothers, were also involved in the search of a mythical golden Kingdom known as El Dorado. Birthplace: Córdoba, Spain Legend has it that Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada had inspired the character Don Quixote penned by Cervantes. Initially a lawyer, Quesada later gained fame as a Spanish conquistador and explored parts Colombia, then known as New Granada. He also made unsuccessful voyages in search of El Dorado. Andrés de Urdaneta Birthdate: November 30, 1508 Birthplace: Ordizia, Spain Sebastián de Belalcázar Birthplace: Benalcazar, Spain Sebastián de Belalcázar was a Spanish conquistador best remembered for founding some of the most prominent early colonial cities in South America. He is credited with founding important cities like Quito, Cali, Popayán, and Pasto. Sebastián de Belalcázar is also remembered for leading expeditions in present-day Colombia and Ecuador. Antonio de Ulloa (Astronomer, Explorer, Meteorologist) Birthdate: January 12, 1716 Spanish mariner Antonio de Ulloa was sent by the government to explore America and ended up being captured by the British while returning. His scientific zeal made him a Fellow of the Royal Society there. He is remembered for his metallurgical, astronomical, and geographical discoveries and treatises. Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón Birthplace: Toledo, Spain Pedro de Mendoza (Spanish Soldier and Explorer) Birthplace: Guadix, Granada, Spain Pedro de Mendoza was a Spanish conquistador, explorer, and soldier who served as the first adelantado of New Andalusia. He is best remembered for exploring South America at his own expense and founding the city of Buenos Aires in 1536. Pedro de Mendoza suffered from syphilis throughout his life which made him ineffective as a leader. Martín Alonso Pinzón Birthplace: Palos de la Frontera, Spain Adrián de Moxica Juan de Grijalva Birthplace: Cuéllar, Spain Juan de Zumárraga Birthplace: Durango, Spain Juan Díaz de Solís Birthplace: Lebrija, Spain Birthdate: September 8, 1772 Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Gaspar de Carvajal Birthplace: Trujillo, Spain Birthplace: Cartagena, Spain Ruy González de Clavijo Birthplace: Olmeda de las Fuentes, Spain Silvestre Vélez de Escalante |