Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spanish explorer known for crossing the Isthmus of Panama and being the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the New World, did not amass significant wealth during his lifetime. While he did acquire some riches through his expeditions and the discovery of gold and other resources, much of it was lost or taken by others, and he died in relative obscurity. His legacy lies more in his exploration and contributions to geography than in personal wealth.
he wanted to make history
I think he did, I'm doing a project on him now. I'm not sure, so don't blame me if I'm wrong.
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One thing I supplicate your majesty: that you will give orders, under a great penalty, that no bachelors of law should be allowed to come here [the New World]; for not only are they bad themselves, but they also make and contrive a thousand inequities. - Vasco Nuñez de Balboa to Ferdinand V of Spain, 1513
Almost, Balboa sailed across the Atlantic ocean and was one of the first to travel all the way to modern day California, but he didn't make it all the way around the world. Balboa is often recognized as discovering the south sea.
One thing I supplicate your majesty: that you will give orders, under a great penalty, that no bachelors of law should be allowed to come here [the New World]; for not only are they bad themselves, but they also make and contrive a thousand inequities. - Vasco Nuñez de Balboa to Ferdinand V of Spain, 1513
he made lots and lots of.....MONEY
Vasco Núñez de Balboa undertook his exploration primarily to seek new trade routes and riches, particularly in search of gold and other valuable resources in the New World. He is best known for being the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas, which he hoped would provide a shortcut to Asian markets. Balboa's explorations were driven by the desire for fame, fortune, and the expansion of Spanish influence. His expeditions also aimed to establish Spanish claims in the territories he explored.
Born in or near the year 1457, the Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa was the first European to see the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean. He sighted the ocean in 1513 from a mountaintop in what is now Panama. Upon reaching the shore, Balboa waded into the ocean and claimed it and all its shores for Spain. Balboa was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Mexico. As a young boy, Balboa had two dreams: to be a famous explorer and to be an Olympic fencing champion. His Olympic dream never materialized, but his ability with the sword was to serve him well in battles throughout his career. Following the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492, Balboa joined an expedition to South America in 1501. One year later Balboa found himself on the island of Hispaniola trying without success to make a living as a pig farmer. It seems that the native Indian population worshipped the pig as a god and neither they nor the Spanish settlers would eat an animal thought to be a god, no matter how tasty. The Voyages of Vasco Nunez de Balboa (Click to enlarge) Several years later, in 1510, Balboa enjoyed a change in fortune when he became acting governor of Darien. From there he led expeditions into Panama, conquering some Indians while allowing other, more friendly, Indians to open gambling casinos. In 1511 friendly Indians told Balboa of a land called Tubanama where he could find much gold. The Indians told him this land was located across the mountains near a great sea. Hoping to please King Ferdinand of Spain with an exciting discovery, in early September 1513, Balboa led an expedition from Darien. The Panama Canal was temporarily closed due to a strike by native workers, so Balboa and his 190 Spanish followers were forced to take the difficult land route. After a three week journey, during which the expedition lost all radio contact with their home base, Balboa found the great sea he had longed to see: the Pacific Ocean! Sadly, Balboa was to live only a few more years. A jealous rival falsely accused Balboa of treason to the king, and in January 1519, he was tried and sentenced to death. He was publicly beheaded in the town of Acla in Panama, which he had established only a year earlier. Fortunately, Balboa's children were not left penniless because they were able to sell their father's game-used armor, the same armor that their famous father wore when he waded into the Pacific Ocean, on eBay.com for a tidy sum.
Vasco Nunez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer, a governor, and a conquistador. He is mostly known for crossing the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, and being the first European to sight the Pacific Ocean from the New World (America).a explorer
Balboa discovered the pacific in 1501. Magellan discovered the phillipeans!
Born in or near the year 1457, the Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa was the first European to see the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean. He sighted the ocean in 1513 from a mountaintop in what is now Panama. Upon reaching the shore, Balboa waded into the ocean and claimed it and all its shores for Spain. Balboa was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Mexico. As a young boy, Balboa had two dreams: to be a famous explorer and to be an Olympic fencing champion. His Olympic dream never materialized, but his ability with the sword was to serve him well in battles throughout his career. Following the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492, Balboa joined an expedition to South America in 1501. One year later Balboa found himself on the island of Hispaniola trying without success to make a living as a pig farmer. It seems that the native Indian population worshipped the pig as a god and neither they nor the Spanish settlers would eat an animal thought to be a god, no matter how tasty. The Voyages of Vasco Nunez de Balboa (Click to enlarge) Several years later, in 1510, Balboa enjoyed a change in fortune when he became acting governor of Darien. From there he led expeditions into Panama, conquering some Indians while allowing other, more friendly, Indians to open gambling casinos. In 1511 friendly Indians told Balboa of a land called Tubanama where he could find much gold. The Indians told him this land was located across the mountains near a great sea. Hoping to please King Ferdinand of Spain with an exciting discovery, in early September 1513, Balboa led an expedition from Darien. The Panama Canal was temporarily closed due to a strike by native workers, so Balboa and his 190 Spanish followers were forced to take the difficult land route. After a three week journey, during which the expedition lost all radio contact with their home base, Balboa found the great sea he had longed to see: the Pacific Ocean! Sadly, Balboa was to live only a few more years. A jealous rival falsely accused Balboa of treason to the king, and in January 1519, he was tried and sentenced to death. He was publicly beheaded in the town of Acla in Panama, which he had established only a year earlier. Fortunately, Balboa's children were not left penniless because they were able to sell their father's game-used armor, the same armor that their famous father wore when he waded into the Pacific Ocean, on eBay.com for a tidy sum.