Spanish Exploration in the New World

Spanish Exploration and Discoveries

• Christopher Columbus, an Italian navigator, was sponsored by Queen Isabella of Spain to explore new lands.
• In 1492, Columbus reached an island in the Bahamas and named it the New World (now known as America).
• Other Spanish navigators, including Vicente Yañez Penson, explored new lands to be conquered in honor of Spain.
• Vicente Yañez Penson reached Brazil in 1500.
• Rodrigo de Bastidas and Juan de la Casa explored South America from 1500-1502.
• Amerigo Vespucci explored the New World from 1499-1503 and wrote about it, leading to it being named after him.

Discovery of the Pacific Ocean and Circumnavigation

• In 1513, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa discovered the Pacific Ocean.
• This discovery led to the first circumnavigation of the world in 1519-1522.
• The circumnavigation included the rediscovery of the Philippines by Ferdinand Magellan.

Impact of Spanish Exploration

• The discoveries and conquests in the name of Spain and Portugal established them as powerful nations.