explorers

Columbus (1492): accidentally discovered the New World and believed he was in the Indies, sponsored by spain

Cabot (1497): discovered Newfoundland, sponsored by england

Ponce de Leon (1513): searched for the fountain of youth, sponsored by spain

Cortes (1519): took present-day Mexico City from the Aztecs, sponsored by spain

Pizzaro (1531): took over the Incan empire in Peru, sponsored by spain

Cartier (1534): discovered beaver fur, sponsored by france

Coronado (1540-1542): searched for the legendary golden cities called the Seven Cities of Cibola, sponsored by spain

Champlain (1608): sailed up the St. Lawrence River and built a trading post called Quebec, sponsored by france

Hudson (1609): discovered the Hudson River, sponsored by netherlands

Cavelier De La Salle (1679-1682): explored the Mississippi River and claimed the Louisiana Territory for France, sponsored by france