What route did Vasco Nunez Balboa travel?

1. Start: Balboa set out from Santa Maria la Antigua del Darién, a Spanish settlement on the coast of present-day Panama.

2. Darien Gap: Balboa and his men traveled across the Darien Gap, a dense and dangerous jungle region. They faced harsh terrain, wild animals, and attacks from indigenous tribes.

3. Atrato River: Balboa's expedition followed the Atrato River, which flows into the Gulf of Uraba. They utilized canoes and rafts to navigate the river.

4. Serrania del Darien: The expedition crossed the Serrania del Darién, a mountain range that separates the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds in Panama.

5. Pacific Ocean Sighting: On September 25, 1513, Balboa reached the top of a mountain (probably Cerro de la Vieja) and became the first European to gaze upon the Pacific Ocean. He named it the "Mar del Sur" (South Sea).

6. Exploration of the Coast: Balboa and his men explored the coast of the Pacific Ocean, traveling southward along the Gulf of Panama. They encountered indigenous peoples and gathered gold and other valuable items.

7. Return to Santa Maria: After exploring the Pacific coast for about a month, Balboa returned to Santa Maria la Antigua del Darién. He brought news of his discovery and the riches he had found.

Balboa's expedition was significant because it marked the first time Europeans had reached and documented the Pacific Ocean from the American continent. It opened up new possibilities for exploration, trade, and colonization in the Americas and beyond.