exploration and settlements timeline

  • 1492

    Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean

    Columbus lands at Hispaniola in the Caribbean
    He landed in the Bahamas on the same day he was claiming Spain,Then later that month Columbus sighted Cuba.
  • 1513

    Balboa "discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama

    Balboa "discovers" the Pacific Ocean in Panama
    Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and discovered the Pacific Ocean. There were 190 Spaniards and several hundred slaves
  • 1521

    Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)

    Cortes conquers the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)
    Hernan Cortés invaded Mexico in 1519 and conquered the Aztec Empire.
  • 1539

    De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River

    De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River
    A Spanish explorer and conquistador He was the first European documented as having crossed the Mississippi River.
  • First Permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia

    First Permanent English settlement is founded in Jamestown, Virginia
    The Jamestown settlement in the Colony of Virginia was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas
  • Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts

    Mayflower Pilgrims found Plymouth colony in Massachusetts
    Plymouth Colony. Plymouth Colony First colonial settlement in New England
  • English settlers defeat Native American in King Philip's War

    English settlers defeat Native American in King Philip's War
    marked the last major effort by the Native Americans of southern New England to drive out the English settlers.
  • France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana

    France claims the Mississippi River Valley and names it Louisiana
    La Salle and a larger party of explorers followed much the same route as Marquette and Jolliet.