What Spanish explorer discovered South America?

Explorer Christopher Columbus sets foot on the American mainland for the first time, at the Paria Peninsula in present-day Venezuela. Thinking it an island, he christened it Isla Santa and claimed it for Spain.

Who was the first Spanish explorer in America?

Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León was the first Spanish explorer to set foot in the southeastern United States.

Who is the explorer of South America?

Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci is best known for his namesake: the continents of North and South America. But why were these continents named after him, especially since his voyages happened after Christopher Columbus’ famed 1492 sail on the ocean blue?

What two explorers were conquistadors?

The two most famous conquistadors were Hernán Cortés who conquered the Aztec Empire and Francisco Pizarro who led the conquest of the Incan Empire. They were second cousins born in Extremadura, where many of the Spanish conquerors were born.

Why did Spanish explorers come to the Americas?

Spain’s motives for colonization were threefold: to locate mineral wealth, convert the Indians to Christianity, and counter French and English efforts. The Spanish colonization system was highly successful. First, an armed force subdued the natives and established forts, or presidios, for future protection.

What nationality is Amerigo Vespucci?

Italy
Amerigo Vespucci, (born 1454?, Florence, Italy—died 1512, Sevilla, Spain), merchant and explorer-navigator who took part in early voyages to the New World (1499–1500 and 1501–02) and occupied the influential post of piloto mayor (“master navigator”) in Sevilla (1508–12).

Who were the early explorers of South America?

Alonso de Ojeda is noted as the discoverer of South America, as commander of the fleet with Juan de la Cosa and Amerigo Vespucci (1493-1510). John Cabot was an Italian navigator who was the first European that sailed along to North American coast since the Norse 500 years prior (1497).

Which explorer first sailed around South America?

Ferdinand Magellan , Portuguese Fernão de Magalhães, Spanish Fernando de Magallanes or Hernando de Magallanes, (born 1480, Sabrosa or Porto?, Portugal-died April 27, 1521, Mactan, Philippines), Portuguese navigator and explorer who sailed under the flags of both Portugal (1505-13) and Spain (1519-21). From Spain he sailed around South America, discovering the Strait of Magellan, and across the Pacific.

Which explorers reached Central and South America?

Age of Exploration Portuguese exploration. At the end of the 15th century the Portuguese started to explore the west coast of Africa. Christopher Columbus. Other Spanish Explorers. French and English explorers. Amerigo Vespucci. Magellan sails around the world. Timeline. Downloadable PDF Text- and Worksheets Related Topics

Who was the first European to explore part of South America?

Further nautical explorations. In 1524, Italian explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano sailed for King Francis I of France and is known as the first European since the Norse to explore the Atlantic coast of North America. Arriving near the Cape Fear River delta, he explored the coastlines of present-day states of South Carolina and North Carolina,…