Who was Hernando De Soto and what is his significance to the south?

Answer 1

Hernando de Soto was a Spanish man that was sent to Cuba to explore. He then left for what is now around the west side of Florida. He made his way throughout the southeast, spreading disease and killing thousands of Indians at a time. He moved all throughout the region and was the first European to come across the Mississippi River. He claimed the land for Spain and eventually died while still exploring near Tennessee and Mississippi in May, 1546.