Spanish explorers in america

In 1510 Garcia Ordonez de Montalvo wrote a book entitled Las Sergas de Esplandian, The Deeds Of Esplandian, which described a mythical island full of riches called California ruled by black Amazons, and their Queen Califa (CALAFIA).

The story was fictional, but the Spanish conquistadors had found great wealth after conquering the Aztecs from 1519-1521 and the Incas from 1532-1572 in the Americas, making any story seem possible.

Hernan Cortes, the man responsible for defeating the Aztecs, had heard the stories of an island north of New Spain (Mexico), and was intrigued to find out if it was the California of Montalvo’s book.

Spanish explorers

Spanish explorers

First explorers of california

Famous california explorers

Spanish explorers in texas

Spanish explorers in the 1500s map

In 1539 he sent Francisco de Ulloa on a sea expedition to investigate. He discovered that Baja California was in fact a peninsula rather than an island, but he was not believed. Three years later Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo was sent on a similar trip, and was the first Spaniard to land in present day Californ