Vasco Nunez De Balboa

Balboa: Father of the Pacific

In 1475 Vasco Nunez De Balboa is born.

In 1510, Balboa arrives in present-day Panama

In 1511, Balboa establishes the first European colony in the New World.

Balboa In Panama

In 1513, Balboa claims Panama for Spain

Later in 1513, Balboa climbs a peak and sees the Pacific Ocean in front of him

Later that day, he claimed the Pacific for Spain

Hard Times

• Balboa began his career as an explorer when he sailed from Spain to Columbia in 1500, hoping to find pearls and gold.

• He then had to abandon his leaky ship, on an island called Hispaniola.

• Because he owed so much money, Balboa tried to farm, and ended up failing.

• Then had to stow away on a ship to San Sebastian, then later to find out that it had been burned.

Discovery and Death

• Balboa then went on a voyage with many men, to the Isthmus of Panama. Once he had climbed a mountain, he over looked the peak and had discovered the Eastern part o the Pacific Ocean, in 1513.

• A few years later, Balboa had been charged with treason (but had actually been framed by a friend) and was publicly beheaded in 1519, in Acla.

Balboa’s Death

Balboa was executed in 1518 by Governor Davila because he was falsely accused of treason.