---
title: Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America
author: Simeon Netchev
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16275/map-of-the-spanish-conquest--exploration-in-south/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0)
updated: 2026-02-09
---

# Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America

_Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_

## Image File

[![Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16275.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16275.png)

## Image Caption

Spain’s rapid expansion into South America followed the consolidation of its Caribbean footholds by 1512, marking a decisive shift from exploration to imperial [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/). Under the reign of Ferdinand II of Aragon (reign1479–1516) and later Charles I of Spain (reign 1516–1556; Holy [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) Charles V, reign 1519–1556), the Spanish Crown sanctioned expeditions driven by the search for precious metals, Christian evangelization, and dynastic competition with other European powers. Within a generation, military ventures, often small in number but strategically opportunistic, toppled large indigenous polities, reshaping political authority across the continent. The conquest unfolded unevenly, shaped by local alliances, epidemic disease, internal divisions within native empires, and the integration of new territories into Spain’s transatlantic imperial system.

[Francisco Pizarro](https://www.worldhistory.org/Francisco_Pizarro/) (c. 1471–1541) led the overthrow of the [Inca](https://www.worldhistory.org/Inca_Civilization/) state between 1532 and 1533 during the reign of Charles I, establishing Spanish control over the Andean heartlands. Subsequent campaigns by [Diego de Almagro](https://www.worldhistory.org/Diego_de_Almagro/) (c. 1475–1538) and Pedro de Valdivia (c. 1497–1553) extended Spanish authority into Chile, while Sebastián de Belalcázar (c. 1480–1551) consolidated control in present-day Ecuador and Colombia. Exploratory expeditions by Francisco de Orellana (1511–1546), who navigated the [Amazon](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/) River in 1541–1542, and later ventures associated with Pedro de Ursúa (1526–1561), expanded geographic knowledge of the interior. By the mid-16th century, these campaigns had produced the Viceroyalty of Peru (est. 1542) and laid the administrative and economic foundations of Spain’s South American [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/), embedding the region within global [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) networks centered on [silver](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silver/) extraction and Atlantic commerce.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Netchev, S. (2026, February 09). Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16275/map-of-the-spanish-conquest--exploration-in-south/>
### Chicago
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 09, 2026. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16275/map-of-the-spanish-conquest--exploration-in-south/>.
### MLA
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America." *World History Encyclopedia*, 09 Feb 2026, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16275/map-of-the-spanish-conquest--exploration-in-south/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 09 February 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.