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Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Vasco Núñez de Balboa (c. 1475 – around January 12–21,
1519[1]) was a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador. He is best known
for having crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming
the first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the Pacific
from the New World.
Early life
Balboa was born in Jerez de los Caballeros, Spain. He was a
descendant of the lord mason of the castle of Balboa, which is located in
northwestern Spain. His mother was the Lady de Badajoz, and his father was the
hidalgo (nobleman), Nuño Arias de Balboa. Little is known of his early
childhood except that he was the third of four boys in his family. During his
adolescence, he served as a page and squire to Don Pedro de Portocarrero, lord
of Moguer
The founding of
Santa María
Balboa suggested that the settlement of San Sebastián be
moved to the region of Darién, to the west of the Gulf of Urabá, where the soil
was more fertile and the natives were less warlike. Fernández de Enciso gave
serious consideration to this suggestion, and the regiment later went to
Darién, where the native cacique (chieftain) Cémaco had 500 warriors waiting,
ready for battle. The Spanish, fearful of the large number of enemy combatants,
made a vow to the Virgen de la Antigua, venerated in Seville, that they would
name a settlement in the region after her should they prevail. It was a
difficult battle for both sides, but, by a stroke of luck, the Spanish came out
victorious.
Cémaco, together with his warriors, abandoned the town and
headed for the jungle. The Spanish plundered the houses and gathered a
treasure-trove of golden ornaments. Balboa kept his vow, and, in September
1510, founded the first permanent settlement on mainland American soil, and
called it Santa María la Antigua del Darién.
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