Famous Spanish Explorers

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.