CORDOVA, Francisco Fernandez de, discoverer of Mexico; died in 1518. On 8 February, 1517, this navigator sailed from Cuba with Juan Alaminos, a pilot, who had accompanied Columbus in his fourth voyage, steered for the continent, and in March ranged the coast of Yucatan, where he lost many men in his various encounters with the natives.

It appears certain that Cordova left two of his companions in this region; for in 1518, when Grijalva explored the country, he was informed that one of them survived, but was unable to procure his release. After exploring the coast, and remarking the grand monumental structures of Yucatan, he was forced by a tempest to abandon its shores.

He visited Florida five years after the expedition of Ponce de León, and, on returning to Cuba, died, ten days after his arrival, of wounds received from the natives. He was a rich settler in Cuba before he undertook his expedition.

Edited Appletons Encyclopedia by John Looby, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.com^TM

Discoverer Of Mexico ; Died In 1518. On 8 February Cordova

CORDOVA, Francisco Fernandez de. discoverer of Mexico ; died in 1518. On 8 February, 1517, this navigator sailed from Cuba with Juan Alaminos, a pilot, who had accompanied Columbus in his fourth voyage, steered for the continent, and in March ranged the coast of Yucatan, where he lost many men in his various encounters with the natives. It appears certain that Cordova left two of his companions in this region ; for in 1518, when Grijalva explored the country, he was informed that one of them survived, but was unable to procure his release. After exploring the coast, and remarking the grand monumental structures of Yucatan, he was forced by a tempest to abandon its shores. He visited Florida five years after the expedition of Ponce de Ledn, and, on returning to Cuba, died, ten days after his arrival, of wounds received from the natives. He was a rich settler in Cuba before he undertook his expedition.