Im 99% sure that it was because they were in search for gold i think, probably need to look it up more.
Mostly explore South America and Mexico.
The Gulf of Mexico
he started exploring New Mexico around 1597-1598 for the Spanish.
The first explorer to discover New Mexico was Spanish Conquistador Francisco Vazquez de Coronado.
In Mexico the Spanish word for Spanish is Español.
Mexico
it was Austin de Iturbide
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was sent by the Spanish Viceroy in Mexico to explore the coast of California in 1542. His expedition aimed to find a water route by sea from Mexico to Asia.
Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado led an expedition in the 16th century to explore New Mexico in search of the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. Later, the region was further explored and settled by Spanish conquistadors, missionaries, and traders.
Because Mexico was conquered and colonised by the Spanish
new mexico
Mexico