Introduction
The Age of Exploration saw many great explorers, discovering new lands and making riches as they went. Juan Ponce de Leon was one of these explorers. Ponce de Leon is best known for his discovery of the south-east coast of what would eventually become Florida, in the United States.
Early years and career
Ponce de Leon was born in 1460, in Santervás de Campos, Spain. Although he was born into a noble family, he was very poor and like many others in his situation, he dreamed of wealth and glory. He learned social skills along with religion and military tactics when he was young, in the court of Aragon. It is believed that he made his first quest as part of one of Christopher Columbus’s expeditions in 1493.
Voyage to Puerto Rico …show more content…
With him, he took just fifty soldiers and a single ship. He returned a year later having successfully found gold and land. The expedition was deemed successful and Ponce de Leon was named the governor of Puerto Rico.
Journey to the new world
Five years later, in 1513, Ponce de Leon led another expedition, at his own expense. He took with him three ships and over two hundred men. The aim of the expedition was to find the ‘Fountain of Youth’, a fabled spring that supposedly would keep whoever drank from it eternally young. After a month on the seas, he and his men landed on the east coast of what would become Florida. As he didn’t realise he was on the mainland of North America, the region was named Florida, meaning ‘flowery’, in reference to lush floral
The Age of Exploration saw many great explorers, discovering new lands and making riches as they went. Juan Ponce de Leon was one of these explorers. Ponce de Leon is best known for his discovery of the south-east coast of what would eventually become Florida, in the United States.
Early years and career
Ponce de Leon was born in 1460, in Santervás de Campos, Spain. Although he was born into a noble family, he was very poor and like many others in his situation, he dreamed of wealth and glory. He learned social skills along with religion and military tactics when he was young, in the court of Aragon. It is believed that he made his first quest as part of one of Christopher Columbus’s expeditions in 1493.
Voyage to Puerto Rico …show more content…
With him, he took just fifty soldiers and a single ship. He returned a year later having successfully found gold and land. The expedition was deemed successful and Ponce de Leon was named the governor of Puerto Rico.
Journey to the new world
Five years later, in 1513, Ponce de Leon led another expedition, at his own expense. He took with him three ships and over two hundred men. The aim of the expedition was to find the ‘Fountain of Youth’, a fabled spring that supposedly would keep whoever drank from it eternally young. After a month on the seas, he and his men landed on the east coast of what would become Florida. As he didn’t realise he was on the mainland of North America, the region was named Florida, meaning ‘flowery’, in reference to lush floral