Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer born in 1460 who led expeditions in the early 1500s hoping to find riches and the Fountain of Youth. On his first voyage in 1513, he encountered Florida while searching northwest of Hispaniola. He named Florida and became the first governor of Puerto Rico. Though he never found the Fountain of Youth, Ponce de León made important discoveries and helped expand Spain's claims in the Americas.

1. Juan Ponce de León Who wants to live forever? Juan Ponce de León did, so he tried to find the Fountain of Youth. Unfortunately, he didn’t find it, but he found another famous place: Florida! By Hannah N Malhoyt and Albert Pangilinan

2. Background Ponce de León was born in 1460 and died in 1521 Spanish Explorer Born in the village of Santaverás de Campos near Palencia, Spain Was a page in the Spanish Court Became an experienced soldier who fought in the long Spanish Campaign Ponce de León

3. Purpose of Expeditions To find The Fountain of Youth To find wealth and undiscovered islands to the northwest of Hispaniola, an island in the West Indies

4. Voyages First voyage in 1513 with 200 men and 3 ships Sailed along the coast of Florida Second voyage in 1515 and third voyage in 1521 Ponce de León’s first voyage

5. Challenges On his first voyage, Ponce de León ships encountered strong currents The currents pushed his ships eastward into the northeast shore of Cuba and his crew was initially confused about their location The natives of Florida did not want Ponce de León to conquer Florida and fought against him

6. Historical Contributions Named, was is now Florida, “La Florida” Became the first Governor of Puerto Rico One of the first explorers to claim part of the north American Mainland for Spain Puerto Rico

7. Other Occurrences and Events Conquered Puerto Rico for 3 years Joined Christopher Columbus’ second voyage in 1493 to the West Indies

8. Bibliography Websites and Encyclopedias Books Cook, Noble David. "Ponce de Leon, Juan." World Book Student. World Book, 2010. Web. 7 April 2010. http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar438840&st=juan+ponce+de+leon Juan Ponce de León. (2008, April 4). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:17, April 22, 2010 from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Juan_Ponce_de_Le%C3%B3n?oldid=68738 "Juan Ponce de León." The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 26 Apr. 2010 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. Fritz, Jean. “Around The World in a Hundred Years” Putnam and Grosset Group, 1994 Maestro, Betsy and Giulio Maestro. “Exploration and Conquest” William Morrow and Co., 1994