Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer who was famous for exploring and discovering Florida. His tales are mostly remembered for his expedition to search for the ‘fountain of youth.‘ Leon was a Spanish explorer who was born in 1474 in Castile, Spain. He was a Roman Catholic and one of the first Spaniards to search the New World. He was also the first governor of Puerto Rico.
Juan Ponce de Leon – Search of New World
In Septemper 1492, Christopher Columbus went to his second voyage to discover the new land. He went with his 200 volunteers. Among those volunteers was Leon. They reached the new world in November 1493. This was for the first time that leon discovered such a big land mass. They landed in present day Puerto rico. After that leon returned back to spain.
Juan Ponce de Leon – Discovery of Florida
The Spanish King Ferdinand ordered Leon to search for New World in 1511. In 1512 they made a contract that Leon will be made governor of all the province which he discover in return he has to give taxes and resources of New Land to the king. He went in search for New World in March, 1513, from Puerto Rico. Leon discovered a New Land on 2 April 1513 which he named La Florida.
Juan Ponce de Leon – Fountain of Youth
It is popular tale that Leon discovered Florida in search of fountain of youth. Historians like Valdes believe that Leon actually wish to cure his aging process. Many historians like Fontaneda refuted this claim. Most historians agree that the search for gold was the most important reason for discovery of new world.
Juan Ponce de Leon – Death
In1521, Leon went to another voyage for Florida. He and his mates were attacked by Calusa tribe. The injuries were fatal and finally he died in Havana, Cuba. Later his body was buried in Puerto Rico.