Juan Ponce de Leon

By Kelly Montgomery and Haley Donovsky

Lifespan

Juan Ponce de Leon was born in the year of 1460 in Spain and died in Cuba in the year 1521.

His Adventures Leon’s first expedition was to the Americas with his famous cousin,

Christopher Columbus in 1493. However, he stayed in what is now Dominican Republic, instead of going back to Spain with Columbus. He assisted in the conquest in Higuey, the eastern part of Hispaniola, from 1502-1504 and he was then made governor there. He conquered other lands, such as Puerto Rico (1508) Bimini (1512). On Mar. 3, 1513, with three ships he sighted the Florida peninsula later in the month. He landed on St. Augustine in early April. He then turned south exploring the Key West and went up the west coast of Cape Romano. He explored Miami Bay and then returned to Puerto Rico in late September of 1513. He calmed down Puerto Rico after it revolted. In the year of 1514, he went to Spain after he was commissioned by the king to subdue Carib of Guadeloupe and to conquer and colonize the “isle of Florida”. In 1515 he led an unsuccessful mission against Carib and then went back to Puerto Rico, where he resided until 1521. 200 men, 50 horses and other domestic animals boarded two vessels and set sail for Florida in 1521. After his party was attacked by Native Americans on the west coast, where he was struck with an arrow, they sailed to Cuba where he later died.

Results of Leon’s voyage

Leon’s accomplishments include finding Florida, Andros Island, Bimini, finding gold in what is now Puerto Rico, helping Columbus with finding the Americas, and became governor of Higuey.

Pictures of Leon and his map for his voyage

Sources

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/explorers/page/d/deleon.shtml

http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/people/A0839647.html

The End