Vasco de Balboa Facts

Vasco de Balboa

Picture of the explorer Vasco de Balboa

This article on  the biography and life of Vasco de Balboa provides facts and information about:

  • Who was Vasco de Balboa?
  • What was his involvement in the Discovery of America?
  • Vasco de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean
  • Life and Biography of Vasco de Balboa
  • Fast information and interesting facts about this great explorer
  • Educational resource for teachers and kids
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Facts about Vasco de Balboa
The following Fact File contains fast information about the life of Vasco de Balboa. Interesting facts and an overview and description of the life and times and his involvement in the Exploration and the discovery of the New World leading to the colonization of America.

Facts about Vasco de Balboa

Vasco de Balboa Fact 1

 

Why was Vasco de Balboa famous and what part of America did he explore?Vasco de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean to become the first European to lead an expedition to reach the Pacific Ocean from the New World 
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 2 Vasco Nunez de Balboa was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from a peak in Darien, Panama - he had climbed the peak alone
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 3 When was Vasco Nunez de Balboa born? He was born c. 1475
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 4 What was his country of origin and where was Vasco de Balboa born? He was born in Jerez de los Caballeros in Estremadura, Spain
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 5 He came from a noble Spanish family and was well educated
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 6 Following the new of the voyage and discovery of Christopher Columbus, Vasco de Balboa was motivated to explore the new lands
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 7 He joined an expedition in 1501 to explore the north east of South America and then sailed to Hispaniola (Jamaica)
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 8 He tried farming but it was unsuccessful and by 1509 he was deeply in debt.
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 9 In 1510 Vasco de Balboa, and his dog Leoncico, stowed away on a boat going from Santo Domingo to San Sebastian in Columbia
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 10 The expedition travelled further south and in 1511 the captain, Nicuesa, founded the town of Santa Maria de la Antigua del Darien which was the first European settlement in South America
 
 

Facts about Vasco de Balboa for Kids

Facts about Vasco de Balboa
This article contains a short biography in a fact file format in date order. Fast facts and information about the life of Vasco de Balboa. Who was Vasco de Balboa and why was he famous?

When did he explore the New World of America? Which area of America did Vasco de Balboa explore? Read the fact file that provides fast access to interesting facts for kids about the life of this famous explorer and his place in the history of America.  For more info refer to Spanish in America.
 

Route Map of the voyage of Vasco de Balboa
Picture of Vasco de Balboa Route Map of the voyage of Vasco de Balboa

 

Facts about Vasco de Balboa

Vasco de Balboa Fact 11 In  1511 the king of Spain appointed Vasco de Balboa as the interim governor of the new colony
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 12 He married the daughter of Careta, the local Indian chief and was appointed supreme commander of the colony.
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 13 There was a great political power struggle between the leaders of the colony with accusations of from Encisco that he had illegally taken charge of the colony
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 14 September 1, 1513: Vasco Nunez de Balboa sailed with hundreds of Spaniards and Native Indians across the Gulf of Uraba to the Darien Peninsula, Panama.
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 15 The famous explorer Francisco Pizarro, who later conquered the Incas of Peru, also took part in the voyage.
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 16 September 27, 1513: Vasco Nunez de Balboa was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean and claimed it, and all the land that touched it, for Spain
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 17 He explored the Pacific coast and found a fortune in gold, pearls and slaves. He then returned to the colony
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 18 Political tensions had increased in the colony, Vasco Nunez de Balboa was accused of treason by the new governor, Pedrarias Davila.
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 19 He was acquitted and went on to marry the daughter of the new governor Pedrarias Davila in 1516
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 20 Vasco de Balboa left the colony to continue his explorations of the New World and in 1519 was given the title of Adelantado of the South Sea, Governor of Panama
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 21 Pedrarias Davila pretended friendship with Vasco de Balboa then had him arrested for treason. This time he was found guilty.
 
 
Vasco de Balboa Fact 22 Vasco de Balboa was publicly beheaded in the colony of Darien in January, 1519
 
 

Facts about Vasco de Balboa for Kids

Vasco de Balboa Facts for kids
The life and biography of Vasco de Balboa is presented in a short, easy fact file format that is highly suitable for kids. The facts about  are a fast and accurate way to gain a good understanding of the life of this famous man who played a major role in the Discovery of America. The facts include the major events in the life of this famous explorer together with important dates and details of his family. For additional facts for kids and information refer to the additional articles including:

Mercator World Map

The Exploration & Discovery of America - The Geradus Mercator World Map

 

Vasco de Balboa

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