Spanish Colonization of The Americas - First Mainland Explorations

First Mainland Explorations

In 1509, authority was granted to Alonso de Ojeda and Diego de Nicuesa, to colonize the territories between Cabo Gracias a Dios to Cabo de la Vela. All territories of Tierra Firme was unified in the Governorate of Castilla de Oro under Pedro Arias Dávila on 1513.

In 1513, Vasco Núñez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama, to find gold but instead led the first European expedition to the Pacific Ocean and the west coast of the New World. In an action with enduring historical import, Balboa claimed the Pacific Ocean and all the lands adjoining it for the Spanish Crown. It was 1517 before another expedition from Cuba explored Central America. It landed on the coast of the Yucatán peninsula in search of slaves.