What did Spain explore?

North America:

1. Florida: Spanish explorers reached the Florida peninsula in the early 16th century. Key figures involved in its exploration include Juan Ponce de León, who claimed Florida for Spain in 1513.

2. South Carolina and Georgia: Spanish explorers and missionaries explored present-day South Carolina and Georgia in the 16th and 17th centuries.

3. Southwest United States: Spanish explorers, such as Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, explored parts of the present-day southwestern United States, including Arizona and New Mexico, in the 16th century.

4. California: Spanish expeditions ventured into California, led by explorers like Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in the mid-16th century.

5. Great Plains and Rocky Mountains: Spanish expeditions penetrated the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola, but they didn't find the fabled wealth they were seeking.

South America:

1. Rio de la Plata and Argentina: Spanish explorers like Juan Díaz de Solís and Pedro de Mendoza explored the Rio de la Plata region and founded Buenos Aires in present-day Argentina.

2. Colombia and Venezuela: Spanish conquerors and explorers made significant contributions to exploring Colombia and Venezuela in the 16th century, including Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and Diego de Losada.

3. Amazon Rainforest: Spanish conquistadors explored parts of the Amazon rainforest in the 16th and 17th centuries. Francisco de Orellana is known for his expedition on the Amazon River in the 1540s.

4. Peru and the Inca Empire: Francisco Pizarro led a Spanish expedition that resulted in the conquest of the powerful Inca Empire in Peru.

5. Chile: Spanish conquest and exploration took place in Chile in the mid-16th century.

Mexico and Central America:

1. Coastal Regions: Spanish exploration initially occurred along the coasts of Mexico and Central America in search of resources and trade opportunities.

2. Aztec Empire: Hernán Cortés and his Spanish conquistadors are famed for their conquest of the Aztec Empire and the establishment of Mexico City.

3. Yucatan Peninsula: The Spanish also explored the Yucatan Peninsula, leading to the discovery of significant Mayan cities.

4. Central American Regions: Spanish explorers ventured into present-day countries in Central America, leaving a lasting impact on their languages and cultures.

Caribbean Islands:

The Caribbean islands, including Hispaniola, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and others, were major focal points of Spain's early explorations and colonizations in the Americas.