1. Cabeza de Vaca

2. Cabeza de Vaca= Cow Head?
De Vaca was born in Spain to a wealthy Spanish family
He explored North America for the Spanish royal family to map out the land and claim it for Spain .

3. A treacherous exploration
It was a long journey. De Vaca’s left with 600 men, but they got lost in the swamps of Florida, many men died from disease and fighting the American Indians. He didn’t want to separate so they constructed rafts and found their way to Galveston island, where it’s said they met up with the Karankawas. He was very interested in them and learned many things from the people.

4. History of Cabeza de Vaca in the Americas

5. De Vaca’s exact route is unknown
De Vaca’s exact route is unknown. These are possible routes he might’ve taken as he mapped and helped claim lands for Spain.

6. Why do we not know his actual route?
Historians take documents, like letters and reports from de Vaca and men on his journey and compile the information. Using clues from the sources, historians believe these routes could’ve matched what they were talking about, but we don’t have a specific route mentioned in the primary sources.
Most of what we know about de Vaca’s exploration comes from his personal report, Relacion de los Naufragios, that he wrote for King Carlos of Spain.

7. Sources