What were the major discoveries and achievements of Mexican explorers during this period?

What were the major discoveries and achievements of Mexican explorers during this period?

During the Age of Exploration, Mexican explorers made several major discoveries and achievements. Some of these include:

1. Hernán Cortés: Cortés led the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century. His expedition resulted in the fall of the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and the establishment of New Spain (present-day Mexico).

2. Francisco Vázquez de Coronado: Coronado led an expedition in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold in the 1540s. Although he did not find the cities, his journey led to the exploration of the American Southwest, including present-day Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas.

3. Juan de Grijalva: Grijalva explored the eastern coast of Mexico in 1518, becoming the first European to encounter the Maya civilization. His expedition paved the way for future Spanish conquests in the region.

4. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca: Cabeza de Vaca was part of an ill-fated expedition to Florida in 1527. After shipwrecking, he and a few survivors journeyed across present-day Texas and northern Mexico, becoming the first Europeans to explore these areas and interact with indigenous tribes.

5. Gaspar Corte-Real: Corte-Real, a Portuguese explorer, made several voyages to North America in the early 16th century. He is credited with discovering Newfoundland and Labrador, contributing to the European knowledge of the North American continent.

These explorers played a significant role in expanding European knowledge of the Americas and establishing Spanish presence in Mexico.