This map illustrates Spain’s rapid push into South America after securing the major Caribbean islands by 1512. Driven by the lure of gold and territorial ambition, Spanish expeditions swept across the continent, laying the groundwork for one of history’s fastest and most extensive conquests.
Francisco Pizarro (c. 1471–1541) led the conquest of the Inca heartlands in Peru, followed by Diego de Almagro (c. 1475–1538) and Pedro de Valdivia (c. 1497–1553) pushing into Chile. Sebastián de Belalcázar (c. 1480–1551) expanded into present-day Ecuador and Colombia, while Francisco de Orellana (1511–1546) and Lope de Aguirre’s commander Pedro de Ursúa (1526–1561) explored deep into the Amazon basin. Within decades, these expeditions transformed South America through conquest, exploration, and settlement, creating the framework of Spain’s vast colonial empire.
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Cite This Work
APA Style
Netchev, S. (2022, August 17). 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 Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America." World History Encyclopedia, August 17, 2022. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16275/map-of-the-spanish-conquest--exploration-in-south/.
MLA Style
Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Spanish Conquest & Exploration in South America." World History Encyclopedia, 17 Aug 2022, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16275/map-of-the-spanish-conquest--exploration-in-south/.
