Spotlight On Explorers and Colonization

Hernando de Soto

First European to Cross the Mississippi

In the 1500s, Hernando de Soto traveled throughout Central America and Peru, as well as the southeastern areas of the United States, in search of treasures and land for Spain. Although he may have had Spain’s best interests at heart, de Soto and his expedition left a deadly trail of disease in their wake. De Soto would never find the rumored riches he sought. But he did discover the Mississippi River. Labeled the most brash of all conquistadors by the time he was only thirty-six years old, readers will relish the adventures of the Spanish-born explorer on his quests.