Who explored Florida and Mexico?

- Explored Florida in 1513, becoming the first European to do so.

- Landed in St. Augustine and took possession of it for Spain.

- Also led expeditions to Puerto Rico and Cuba.

Hernán Cortés:

- Led the Spanish expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico from 1519 to 1521.

- Defeated the Aztec emperor Montezuma and established Spanish control over Mexico.

- His conquest established Spain as the dominant power in the region.