Explorers of the New World Chart
Christopher Columbus 1492 Spain Explored island of San Salvador Opened New World for European Exploration
Amerigo Vespucci 1492 Italy Sailed along South America 1507 mapmaker named the new world..America
John Cabot 1497/98 England Explored coast of North America Established England's claim to the eastern seaboard of North America
Juan Ponce de Leon 1513 / 1521 Spain East and West coast of Florida 1st Spanish explorer to set foot on North American mainland. Failed to find fountain of youth
Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon 1526 Spain Explored GA and South Carolina coast 1st European to set foot in GA. Settlement failed
Hernando de Soto 1540 Spain Explored Georgia and southern part of North America Failed to find riches, brought disease, death and destruction to the Indians
Giovanni de Verrazano 1524 France Explored coast of North America Established France’s claim to North America Gulf Coast
Jean Ribault 1562 France Explored coast of north Florida and GA Established Charles Fort in the Carolina’s, north of present day Savannah
Pedro Menendez 1565 Spain Florida Founded St. Augustine, Spain's 1st successful settlement in North America. Oldest city in North America
Sir Francis Drake 1586 England Florida Attacked and burned St. Augustine