Walk Into the Life of Spanish Explorers

Juan Ponce De Leon

Early Life Experiences

Juan Ponce De Leon was a famous explorer. He was born in Santervas, Spain in 1460. Before he was an explorer he was a brave soldier. He became a soldier when he was teenager His first experience at sea was when he had to attack the Moors. The Moors were Muslims who wanted to spread their religion. But at that time queen Isabella was a devoted catholic. Then he decided to actually explore what was out there, and decided to come with Christopher Columbus on his second expedition. During the second voyage they landed in Jamaica and then established a Spanish settlement in Haiti.

His Death and Accomplishments

In Florida Juan Ponce De Loen was attacked by the natives. Juan Ponce de Leon was taken away to Cuba. There in Cuba Ponce died. Juan Ponce De Leon was buried at the Cathedral in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This explore died without knowing he discovered new land. This person had many great tales, he sailed with Columbus, and he helped defeat the Moors, and discovered new land.Juan Ponce De Leon was an explorer, a brave, adventurous one. He sailed with Columbus and Juan still wanted more of the sea. So he sailed to back in search of the fountain of youth. Meanwhile he discovered a new land he never knew. He conquered Puerto Rico and set out to sail to find the fountain of youth. He wanted to colonize Florida, but instead he was badly injured by the Native Americans. Juan Ponce De Leon failed and paid a heavy price. This explorer did many accomplishments and made history with his discovery of Florida.

The Discovery of Florida

Juan Ponce De Leon became governor of Puerto Rico. He became governor because he conquered Puerto Rico. Charles V allowed Juan Ponce De Leon to find the Biminis which was the island of the Bahamas where Ponce heard that there was the fountain of youth. He heard this by the natives. So he set sail to find this fountain of youth. He wanted to find it so badly because the legend is that whoever bathed or drank from that fountain would stay young forever. But instead he found Florida. He named this land Florida because it had lots of flowers. Then later he came back to Florida where he discovered the east coast of Florida which is now St. Augustine. Juan Ponce De Leon made to trips to Florida without knowing it. One trip was to the west coast to Florida and one was in the east.