Juan de Grijalva was born around 1489 in Cuellar, Spain, and he died on 21st January 1527 (aged 38 years) in Nicaragua. Juan was one of the earliest people to explore the shores of Mexico. He accompanied Velaquez when he voyaged to Cuba. Velaquez sent Juan to explore the Yucatan Peninsula and after rounding the Guaniguanico in Cuba, he sailed along the coast of Mexico and discovered Cozumel. The Rio Grijalva in Mexico was named after him. He was also the first Spaniard to learn of the existence of the Aztec empire farther North. He also accompanied Cortes on his expedition the basis of which was his earlier exploration of Mexico. He was killed by natives in Honduras.
Do you know: Juan de Grijalva was the nephew of Diego Velazquez, another famous explorer. Hernan Cortes, a Spanish explorer, also stayed at Grijalva’s home in Trinidad, Cuba.
