This Age of Discovery page presents naval artifacts and explorers of the 15th century to the early 17th century. It looks at European explorers who journeyed to North and South America, the search for the Northwest Passage, and...

Detailed third grade lessons help students understand what skills and knowledge were required in order to become an explorer. Includes specific lessons on John Cabot, Jacques Cartier, and Henry Hudson.

A biography of 16th century Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who traveled with Vasco Nunez de Balboa and helped to discover the Pacific Ocean. Pizarro also conquered Peru and founded the city of Lima there.

A biography of Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer from the 15th and 16th centuries. He was at one point the governor of Puerto Rico, and is credited with discovering Florida. Ponce de Leon is also remembered for having searched the...

A biography on the life and voyages of 16th century Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first to circumnavigate the globe, although he did not survive the journey. Magellan was Portuguese but he commanded a Spanish fleet.

Little is known about Alonso Alvarez de Pineda's life except for the last year. Read about his explorations for Spain and his contributions to the Spanish empire.

A biography of Hernando De Soto (1500?-1542), a Spanish explorer who led the first European expedition to reach the Mississippi River. His group arrived at the river in 1541 during a search for gold. De Soto also took part in the Spanish...

A biography of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado (1510-1554), a Spanish explorer. In 1535, Coronado sailed to Mexico with Antonio de Mendoza, the viceroy of Mexico. Coronado became governor of New Galicia province, northwest of Mexico City...

Read this fascinating account by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, one of four survivors who traversed Florida and the Southwest for eight years, from 1529-1537.Read the preface which gives a background to this narrative before delving into...

A short biography of Ferdinand Magellan.

A short biography of Francisco Pizarro.

A brief biography of Spanish conquistador, Vasco Nunez de Balboa, featuring his successful voyage for Spain to the western coast of South America in the early sixteenth century.

An overview of the career of Spanish conquistador Hernando De Soto including a brief analysis of the effects his explorations in the southern portions of North America had on the natives of that region.

A biography of Spanish conquistador, Juan Ponce de Leon, who sailed with Columbus, and landed on Florida. Find pictures and maps of his exploration.

Describes the achievements and sophistication of the Incan Empire prior to being conquered by the Spaniards under Francisco Pizarro. Pizarro had their emperor, Atahualpa, executed after keeping him captive for months while the Inca gave...

Learn about the life and times of Spanish conquistador and explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa.

A biography of Hernando Cortes (or Cortez) (1485 -1547), a Spanish adventurer who conquered what is now central and southern Mexico. His seizure of land, power, and wealth made him the greatest Spanish conqueror in the Americas. His...

Information about de Soto's life and explorations in the New World.

A description of Hernando de Soto's explorations, focusing primarily on his expedition in Florida.

Learn how Spain's introduction of horses dramatically impacted the lives of the Native Indians.

Describes the religious practices followed by the Maya, including human sacrifice, a ritual that horrified the Spanish explorers.

A biography of Sir Martin Frobisher (1535-1594), one of the first English navigators to search for a Northwest Passage to India and eastern Asia. He became known as one of the greatest seamen during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. He...

Article detailing the life of Juan de la Cosa who sailed with Christopher Columbus.

Kids learn about the history and timeline of the country of Spain including Roman rule, the Moors, the Renconquista, kings and queens, explorers, war with Britain, and the Spanish Revolution.