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//FRANCISCO CORONADO//

//Have you ever thought about leading an expedition through several states and discovering one of the most wonderful places? Francisco Vasquez de Coronado was a Spanish explorer of the U.S.A.’s southwest. The place he discovered is very beautiful. Truly his discovery has made many people enjoy the beauty of nature.

Francisco Coronado was born in 1510 Salamanca, Spain. He lived the town of New Spain. He became governor of the Turbulent Province or New Galicia in 1538. His training is unknown except that he was educated to some of the finest schools. And it turned out that he became one of the explorers of America!

Coronado was sent on an expedition that included traveling through plains, canyons, and many states. He was sent on this expedition in 1540. Mendoza sent Coronado on the expedition because after Cabeza de Vaca came back he seemed to have heard Indians talk of treasures and gold in a far away place. This far away place was called the Seven Cities of Gold, the place Coronado was looking for. The reason this expedition was formed was to look for the riches. Francisco discovered a wonderful place on his way.

On his journey he discovered the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon was found in Arizona. He discovered the canyon in 1540. Even though legends were told and Francisco searched for the Seven Cities the cities were never found. When Francisco Coronado got back he was considered a failure, now he is considered a brave explorer of the southwest!

Francisco’s name still lives on today. Francisco Coronado died Sep. 22 1554. What he discovered helped people enjoy nature in a better way. However, this discovery did not change history very much. Francisco Coronado got so well known he made it to the American Time Line! Francisco Coronado was one of the greatest known explorers ever!//

"Yesterday I hunted all day for the gold. It was a tiring day as I hunted for it. I made the slaves work hard in the morning, but in the afternoon I let them take a break and searched by myself. I had no luck. In the evening, when it was to dark to search anymore, I rested over a campfire. The warmth of it made me feel comforted. I was nearly asleep when a slave shook me and asked to speak with me in private. I told him that he could say whatever he wanted to say in front of everyone. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, although nothing came out of it. I told him to speak up. He finally took another deep breath and quickly blurted that he knew where the golden cities were! All of the slaves gasped as he said that they were in the city of Quivera. He said that if I followed him, he would leave me there." -Francisco Coronado