Early European Explorers of the Caribbean Sea

Key 15th–16th century explorers:

1. Christopher Columbus (1492): First recorded European arrival (Bahamas), initiating sustained contact.
2. Vasco da Gama (1502): Explored Brazilian coast and Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico en route to India.
3. Juan Ponce de León (1513): Discovered Florida while searching for the Fountain of Youth; explored Caribbean waters.
4. Amerigo Vespucci (1499–1502): Mapped coastlines, realized Americas were a new continent.
5. Hernando de Soto (1539–1542): Traversed southeastern North America; entered via Caribbean.

Their voyages opened the Caribbean to European colonization and trade.