Explorers in the New WorldChristopher ColumbusPedro CabralPortuguese ExplorationVicente Yß±ez Pinz≤nAmerigo VespucciOther European ExplorersThe Conquistadors
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Vicente Yß±ez Pinz≤n
Pinz≤n is most famous because he and his brother, Martin Alonzo Pinz≤n, accompanied Christopher Columbus on his 1492 voyage in which he discovered America. There were only three ships in the original expedition – Vicente commanded the Ni±a, Martin Alonzo commanded the Pinta, and Columbus commanded the Santa Maria. Vicente Yß±ez Pinz≤n spent much of his time exploring the New World, and helped to found several settlements. In 1505, he was made governor of the Spanish colony in Puerto Rico.
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The Amazon Adventure is supported by:
Vicente
Yß±ez Pinz≤n was the first European to sight the
Amazon river. On a voyage along the South American coast
in 1500, Pinz≤n discovered an area in the Atlantic Ocean
where the waters changed colour from blue to brown, and
were fresh enough to drink. This phenomenon occurs
because the volume of water flowing from the Amazon into
the Atlantic Ocean is so great that the riverwaters
continue for another 100km before finally mixing with the
seawater. Pinz≤n considered sailing up the river to
investigate, but concluded that it was too dangerous. 
