Balboa: Spanish Explorer

This Spanish conquistador and explorer was a man of much courage and determination. Born in Spain in 1475, in 1510 he stowed away with his pet dog, Leoncico aboard a ship headed for San Sebastian along the coast of Uraba. He was hidden in a cask at first, but was soon discovered and accepted as a member of the crew by the commander of the ship, Martin Fernando de Enciso. On board this ship he met Francisco Pizarro, who would later conquer the Incas.

Balboa had a cruel side to his nature and often mistreated and robbed Native Americans who stood in the way of his thirst for gold and riches. Told of a land of vast wealth and resources to the south of the great mountains, in 1513 he crossed the Isthmus of Panama with the help of Indian guides in search of the kingdom of Birú (the Incan Empire). On this trip he became the very first European to view the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. He named it the "Mar del Sur" (South Sea) and claimed it for King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of his native Spain.

His life ended cruelly after he was falsely accused of treason and sentenced to death by a jealous political rival.

Read on to learn more about this fascinating and courageous 16th century explorer.

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