The Life and Times of: Vasco Núñez de Balboa

     Vasco Núñez de Balboa was born sometime in May, 1474 in the town of Jerez de los Caballeros in Spain. After Balboa learned of Sir Christoper Columbus' travels and discoveries, he too decided to become an explorer.

     With high hopes and big dreams, Vasco embarked on his first of many voyages to the Americas with fellow explorer Juan de la Cosa on  Rodrigo de Bastidas' Expedition. The main purpose of this journey was to bring back riches for the king and queen of Spain, but the three men discovered so much more.

     Traveling along the  coasts of the Caribbean and Panama, Vasco and his men aimed discover new parts of South America through the Gulf of Uraba, but landed on the small isle of Hispaniola. This is where Balboa settled and lived for several years as a farmer and planter.

    As Balboa grew tired of this land and craved more adventure, he and his men went on to discover Santa María, the South Sea and Veragura, which he governed for long periods of time. Finally, his biggest and most recognized discovery of Panama occurred in 1513. He was the first European to step foot in these waters.