By Zak B. and Andy M.

Hernando de Soto was born 1496 in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain. Hernando de Soto was born to a noble but poor family and was raised at the family manor. Hernando De Soto’s family hoped he would become a lawyer, but he told his father he would rather explore the West Indies. Hernando was invited by the governor of Darien to join him in his expedition to the West Indies when Hernando was 18.

Hernando wanted to reap large profits through his exchanges with the natives. He did this by exploring the America’s. During his exploration, he conquered Peru and then traveled to North America. Hernando also wanted to explore southern North America because he heard Cabeza de Vaca had explored what is now Florida.

Hernando began his exploration by traveling from Spain to South America where he conquered Peru and made a fortune in the Central American slave trade. He then went back east to Madagascar and Africa. Hernando then traveled to North America where he discovered the Mississippi River. Hernando took this route in search of riches and treasure. His discovery of the Mississippi River is important because he found a water source that has became a major trade route.

Hernando financed his trip from his own wealth from the Inca conquest and he sold all of his belongings for a fleet of 10 ships and 700 men. Hernando only took the necessary supplies his crew needed to explore on his expedition. This was to help keep his crew to find more from the Americas. He eventually discovered the Missippii River

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