The Exploration and Empires to America from foreign countries.

Exploration and Empire Section 1: Early Explorations - Columbus. Before Columbus's voyage, Europeans did not know the Western Hemisphere existed. - During the 1400's, Europeans became interested in finding a short sea route to the Far East--a region of spices and other valuable goods. - Columbus, an Italian navigator, believed he could find a short route to the East by sailing west. - Financed by the Spanish king and queen, he set sail westward from Spain …

…Coronado set out from Campostela near the west coast of Mexico on an expedition to find the legendary Seven Cities of Cibola. - These supposedly rich and flourishing cities were thought to lie north of Mexico City. Coronado traveled through what are now Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. - He found no important cities, but his expedition and that of de Soto gave Europeans a good idea of the width of North America.