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Who were the most famous explorers of North America?
Spanish explorers reached Alaska. The Spanish came to almost all the lands of America and explored the entire Pacific Coast from Alaska to Patagonia
+ Spain and Independence U.S
America’s curious explorers
Explorations in most of the territory including Alaska
The first discoverers and settlers of North America were sent by Spain
The Discovered and Daring frigates used by navigator and explorer Malaspina in his scientific exploration, which crossed the Pacific from Alaska to the Philippines
Ships of the Malaspina expedition
The Frigates Discovered and Daring
Spanish were the first European colonies in their territories. However, during the 100 years between these events, there were numerous Spanish expeditions. New colonies were established in today’s United States.
List of Hispanic explorers in the U.S.
Many are unaware that Spain sent numerous expeditions to North America
Discoverers and settlers in North America. The United States found that in its new country, there were almost 2,000 place names and colonies founded by Spain, throughout its current territory
Spanish expeditions to North America, which cost thousands of lives
The Anglo-Saxons normally when speaking of the history of the United States mention mainly two facts:
– The discovery of America (1492)
– The establishment of the first English settlers (1607).
The North American Exploration cost thousands of Spanish lives and spent more than 1,000,000 pesos
Spanish attempts to colonize from the Gulf of Mexico were many and very costly
Not only thousands of lives were lost in soldiers, settlers and friendly Indians, but also an investment in materials. The usual hurricanes in the area sank dozens of ships. Entire colonies were devastated by these hurricanes, by diseases and attacks by the natives.
Ponce de León received by the indigenous chief Agueybana
(1513) Ponce de Leon
FLORIDA
The first expedition to Florida was made by Ponce de León, Governor of Puerto Rico. A veteran since Christopher Colum
bus’s second expedition in 1493, he made his fortune colonizing and exploiting the mines on the island of Puerto Rico.
In 1513 he led an expedition with three ships that departed from Puerto Rico. Bordering most of Florida which he believed to be an island, he took possession of it for Spain.
However, the first city in the current territory of the United States was San Agustín in 1565. Founded by Menéndez de Avilés, to avoid settlements by other Europeans.
(1519) Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
He toured and made the first map of the Gulf of Mexico
Leaving from the Island of Jamaica and with an expedition of 4 ships, he toured the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
From Florida he coasted the entire gulf until he reached Tampico. Discovering during the tour the Mississippi River and the Rio Grande. He showed that Florida was not a peninsula. He discarded the idea that there was a passage through the Gulf of Mexico to the Indies. All these lands whose coast he traveled he called the lands of Amichel.
This cartographer traveled the coast of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, making the first complete map of the Gulf of Mexico
Reproduction of the caravels used in the Discovery of America, Pinta, Niña and Santa Maria
(1524) Esteban Gómez
He came to Nova Scotia
He traveled Cape Cob, Nantucket Island, New York, the Hudson River back to Florida.
This Spanish map collects the knowledge of the World (1529)
Map of the year 1529 of Ribero
In a new exploration looking for a passage to the Indies, he leaves Spain directly to explore North America. He explores Narragansett Bay, Cape Breton, Maine Merrimac River (San Antonio River), Cape Cod (Cape of the Sands). He would name the New England States as Esteban Gomez Land.
Although he does not find a step, the information about him completed the existing ones. His data allowed the Royal Cartographer of Spain Diego Ribeiro (1529) to make the first map of North America.
(1526) Ayllón
First settlement in the Carolinas and Georgia
Envoys of Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón traveled North Carolina in 1522 and the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina in 1523.
In 1526 he made an expedition of more than 600 people to colonize the area. He created the first European colony in North America in San Miguel de Guadalpe (Georgia) that only lasted a few months. The delay in finding a suitable place for agriculture and ranching caused them to settle too late.
The lack of supplies, attacks by the natives and various diseases, caused the 150 survivors to leave the place.
Map of America by Juan de Ribero, with everything that was known
Map and explanation of the Land of Ayllón according to Diego Ribera
(1528) Cabeza de Vaca
Travel from Florida to Mexico for 8 years
The enormous walking distance that Cabeza de Vaca traveled from the Florida Peninsula to central Mexico
Leaving Florida it runs through Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Northern Mexico, California. He lived with various indigenous tribes as a healer.
Survivor of a Spanish expedition to Florida and the Appalachians, he manages in the company of 3 other Spaniards to cross all of North America from the Atlantic to the Pacific, managing to meet other Spaniards in Mexico. He makes the first transcontinental crossing of North America. His testimonies were reflected in the story of his expedition “Shipwrecks” that allows us to know the life of the North American Indians.
(1534) Fortún Jiménez
Baja California
He participated in an expedition sent by Hernán Cortés. He landed in Baja California thinking it was an island. Its enormous extension of 1,300 km with water on both sides led him to suppose.
(1539) Francisco de Ulloa
Mouth of the Colorado River and runs through the Gulf of California
Map with Francisco de Ulloa’s journey through California
Map with Francisco de Ulloa’s journey through California
Mouth of the Colorado River and runs through the Gulf of California
Starting from Mexico, he traveled its coast until he met California and proved that it was a peninsula. It is believed that it reached Alta California.
(1539) Hernando de Soto
Explore from Florida to Texas, discovering the Mississippi River
Expedition of more than 600 men with the intention of colonizing but the search for Gold was able to do more. Landing in the Florida Peninsula, he passed the Mississippi River. He crossed Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas. In the year 1543 he sailed from the Mississippi River to Mexico.
Route of the Hernando de Soto Expedition through North America
Route of the Hernando de Soto Expedition through North America
(1540) Vazquez de Coronado
Discoverer of the Colorado Canyon
An expedition of 400 Spaniards and some 800 Indians set out to explore the interior of the territories that are now the United States.
They toured Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska. A member of the García López de Cárdenas expedition found the Grand Canyon of the Colorado.
Coronado expedition route reaching Apache lands
(1542) Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo
Cruise the California coastline and arrive in Oregon
View of Cape Mendocino in California
He leaves Mexico with the aim of traveling along the North American coast and reaching China.After traveling along the California coast he arrives in San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina. Upon Cabrillo’s death, Bartolomé Ferrer succeeded him in command, sailing to Oregon.
(1542) Bartolomé Ferrer (Ferrelo)
He came as far as present-day Port Orford in Oregon
Bartolomé Ferrelo was part of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo’s expedition. When he died, he continued with the itinerary to Oregon. The region called by the Spanish as “El Orejón” of dried apricots remained as the name of the area (Oregon).
He passed through Cape Mendocino until he had to return due to bad weather and a lack of supplies.
Spanish expedition to the area of present-day Port Orford in Oregon
(1557) Tristan de Luna
Create the Santa María colony, but it was destroyed by a hurricane
He is tasked with creating an overland route to Santa Elena (South Carolina). He leads an expedition to establish a Spanish base in Georgia with 1,500 men, failing.
And although he also creates Santa Maria (Pensacola) was destroyed by a hurricane.
It was not until 1686 that Spain would not settle in the area again until Pensacola was created.
Cannons at a Fort George Fort in Pensacola
(1561) Villafañe
(He replaced Tristán de Luna). Tour Carolina and Virginia
Spanish frigates in Alaska, Sutil and Mexicana
He took settlers to Santa Elena (Georgia), a hurricane destroyed part of the fleet. He toured Carolina and Virginia.
After the great difficulties and the great losses caused by the hurricanes, new expeditions from New Spain were renounced.
They would only be made from Spain in the Iberian Peninsula.
(1565) Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Spanish Castle of San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida. U.S National Monument
The impregnable Castillo de San Marcos in Florida
Founding of St. Augustine, the first city in Florida
Saint Augustine, the first European colony in North America and the capital of Florida
Commanding 2,000 soldiers and 11 ships, he disembarks in Florida and travels through Georgia and South Carolina.
He takes advantage of an indigenous village to make a fortification and founds San Agustín. Ready to finish off the French, he marches up to his fort. He surprises them and captures Fort Caroline, the first French settlement. He sets off in search of the French soldiers who had chased two of his ships.
A storm causes the French ships to wreck and they are captured by the Spanish. After killing all the French except women, children, merchants and artisans, they occupy the area. The place will be called from that day Matanzas.
Although he does not find gold, he creates a first line of forts between St. Helena in Georgia, all the way to Tennessee. In the short term he should protect the area and supply food to Santa Elena and San Agustín.
His long-term mission would be a defensive arc made up of forts throughout the upper Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific.
He created half a dozen forts with garrisons of about 50 soldiers. However, in 1 year and a half the project is abandoned.
(1567) Line of Spanish Forts
The Spanish called Florida not only the territories of the peninsula, but also the current bordering states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, etc.
1584 Map of Southeastern North America by Jerónimo de Chiaves
It begins with the creation of a Belt towards Mexico by mainland. For this, forts are built where detachments of about 50 soldiers are left.
(1567) The project to control from Carolina to Mexico begins
Route of the Spanish forts from Joara in 1584
The construction of military forts begins from Santa Elena to Mexico through the middle of the North American territories
In South Carolina, the island of Santa Elena is taken as a starting point. He builds a network of forts in parts of North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. The first 6 forts were used to control the area and supply food to the Santa Elena colony (Parris Island).
When not finding Gold these forts were not maintained and reinforced. They were in operation for a short time, less than 2 years. Some were destroyed by the Indians, others were abandoned.
Fort San Juan whose ruins have recently been discovered in Joara (Xuala) was destroyed by the natives.
However, there was gold, and a few km away, although it would be found more than 200 years later.
If it were to appear at the time, the line of forts would have continued and all these territories would have been part of the Spanish Empire.
(1569) Spain loses interest in the area
History could have been different if Gold appears in the area
Spain sees no interest in these territories. The Spanish Crown had enormous territories to attend to and which provided it with more benefits.
However, there was Gold a few kilometers away, although it would be found more than 200 years later. If Gold were to appear at the time, the line of Spanish forts would have continued and all these territories would have been part of the Spanish Empire.
As it happened with the French colonists, they were expelled. Spain would not have allowed the installation of English colonies near its borders either.
(1593-1601) Sebastián Vizcaíno
Make maps of California and Captain Martín de Aguilar came to Oregon
Monterey Beach in California
An explorer of Baja and Alta California, he completed the data obtained 60 years earlier by the explorer Cabrillo.
He especially looked for places where the Manila Galleon could anchor on its return route to Mexico.
One of his captains Martín de Aguilar reached Coos Bay in Oregon.
However, the change of Governor postponed the colonization of California, which was no longer definitively carried out until 1769 by Gaspar de Portolá and Junípero Serra.
(1598) Juan de Oñate
Found the first city of New Mexico
Juan de Oñate statue in New Mexico
Go on an expedition through New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas.
(1769) Junípero Serra
Create missions in California
Missions in Baja California, Ruta de (1769) Junípero Serra and his missions
Route of (1769) Junípero Serra and his missions
California colonizer. He created a multitude of missions.
During the American war of independence he asked for money in the churches and sent it to General Washington.
(1774) Juan Pérez Hernández
Nutkat Bay (Vancouver) and approaching Alaska
Nootka sound expedition on the way to Alaska
Nootka sound expedition on the way to Alaska
The expedition made up of a single frigate leaves with the order to arrive at Cordova (Alaska), but due to the illness of the crew, they do not go beyond Nutka (Vancouver).
They carry out the first trade with the Indians and make drawings of their customs
(1774) Juan F. de la Bodega y Quadra
Alaska expedition reaching Sitka
Francisco de Bodega y Quadra
Sailor and explorer Juan F. de la Bodega y Quadra
Islands in Bucareli Bay in Alaska
Islands in Bucareli Bay in Alaska
Sent by Spain before the rumors of Russian settlements he traveled part of Alaska without finding them.
He took possession of the Bay of Bucareli in Alaska, baptized by him in honor of the Viceroy of New Spain Antonio María de Bucareli.
On that expedition he reached Sitka, but was forced to return due to illness of the crew.
Later in the year 1792 according to the English Captain Vancouver Nutka Island was baptized as “Stable Island and Vancouver”.
However, English cartography has omitted the first part.
(1779) Ignacio de Arteaga
Alaska expedition
Go on an expedition to Alaska.
Explorations of Spain in Alaska: Bucareli, Malaspina ..
Main exploration points of Spain in Alaska
He toured the Bay of Bucareli.
He then explored the area and named it Puerto de Santiago, taking possession of it for Spain. it would later be known from the year 1787 as Port Etches.
He explored what is currently called Cook’s Cove. He also took possession of the Kenai Peninsula.
(1786) Malaspina
Alaska (Bering Strait) on its bypass of the world
In his attempt to find the Northwest Passage he runs along the coast reaching Yakutat and Prince William Bay.
He creates the colonies in Valdez and Córdova
Malaspina Expedition Route from Spain
(1789) Spain occupies the island of Nutka
Esteban José Martínez Fernández
Fort San Miguel, in Nutka controlled the entrance to Alaska
Fort San Miguel in Nootka in 1793
Build Fort San Miguel to secure the area.
He captures 4 English ships and sends them to Mexico.
Santa Cruz de Nuca, the first European colony in present-day Canada (British Columbia), is created
(1792) Galiano and Valdés
He circumnavigated Vancouver Island in Canada. Following the direction of Nootka Sound, they traveled the coast of Cuadra Island and Vancouver.
(1790-92) Caamaño
Alaska and the South Coast of Nootka Sound in Canada
He traveled and mapped the coast of Alaska and Columbia (Canada). He toured the area and gave numerous names to the places he visited: Zayas, Bahía de Cordova, Canal de Revillagigedo, Canal de Laredo, Bocas de Quadra, Isla Aristizábal, Caamaño Sound, Caamaño Passage, etc.
400 years of Spanish exploration
For more than 400 years the Spanish explored most of the coasts and territories of the New World
Pacific Coast Expeditions to Alaska
Whenever you talk about Spain in America, you think of Central and South America. However, Spain also explored the current territories of the United States and came to establish some colonies in Canada and Alaska.
Even during the North American War of Independence the Spanish continued to explore the Pacific Ocean and even colonize.
As a souvenir of their passage through these areas, names such as Cordova, Valdez, Bucareli, Malaspina, Revillagigedo, Zayas, Isla de Cuadra and Vancouver etc.
The Nightmare of the Hurricanes
Expeditions destroyed by crossing the Gulf of Mexico
Attempts to explore US territories were greatly hampered by the hurricanes that swept through the area. Many of the expeditions failed because of them.
Some of them were swept away by them. In Tristán de Luna’s expedition (1557) the fleet that accompanied him with supplies for 1,500 men was lost. This made fail the expedition that tried to go by the interior to the Spanish colony of Santa Helena in Georgia.
In 1561 another hurricane destroyed the Villafrañe fleet that intended to colonize the Carolinas and Virginia.
Summary: Spanish Discoverers of North America
There were many Spanish Expeditions
Thousands of deaths occurred in the colonizing attempts
It began with the expedition to Florida with Ponce de León (1513)
An incredible journey out of necessity From Florida to Mexico: Cabeza de Vaca (1528)
makes the area known.
The Gulf of Mexico is explored by sea, Alonso Álvarez de Pineda (1519) and the entire North Atlantic Coast, Esteban Gómez (1524), from Florida, reaching Nova Scotia in Canada.
Soon exploration began along the West Coast of the Pacific, first to Baja California: Fortún (1534) Another through the Gulf of California: Ulloa (1539)
It was very important, both for its long journey and for the number of expeditionaries, from the East to the West From Florida to Texas: Soto (1539) And another from the West to the East Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado: Coronado ( 1540)
It continued with the exploration of California, Oregon: Cabrillo (1542) As well as Oregon: Ferrelo (1542)
An attempt is made to unite both coasts of North America from Louisiana to Carolina: Luna tries again for Carolina and Virginia: Villafañe
But it would have to be Menéndez de Avilés who ends the French attempts and expels them from the Florida area: Avilés (1565) He founded the only Spanish colony that has remained active since that time and would become the capital of Florida San Agustín (1565 )
The creation of a Line of Spanish Forts begins (1567) that ensures Control from Carolina to Mexico
For unknown reasons Spain abandons territories 1569)
The first Maps of California are drawn: Vizcaíno (1593) Exploration of New Mexico: Oñate (1598)
Missionaries spread their work throughout California: Junípero Serra (1769)
But when Spain learned of the rumors of the presence of Russian ships in Alaska, it began its exploration and the creation of its base in Nutkat Bay: Pérez (1774)
The Navigator to Alaska: Winery and Quadra (1774)
The exploration of Alaska continues: Ignacio de Arteaga (1779)
The Malaspina Scientific Expedition (1786)
Base of Canada: Spain the island of Nutka (1789)
Others in Vancouver: Galiano y Valdés (1792)
Maps and area of Canada Nookat Sound: Caamaño (1792)
In short, a multitude of Spanish Expeditions for 300 years
The difficult explorations many of them failed by the cursed Hurricanes
