Juan+Ponce+De+Leon+MZ




 * Welcome to Juan Ponce De Leon's online journal!**

In 1493, Christopher Columbus accompanied Ponce De Leon on a journey to the Americas. In 1506, they discovered a nearby island called Borinqen. Here Ponce De Leon found large deposits of gold. After his discovery, he left the island. He returned in 1508 by the order of the King of Spain to explore the island. He named his island Puerto Rico. He was the island's governor for two years, and then the King replaced him with Columbus' son.

Disappointed by the King's action, Ponce De Leon sailed once more. This time through the Bahamas, heading towards Florida. He was searching for new lands and treasures. He was also searching for the mythical Fountain of Youth, which he had heard about from the native Indians, whose waters were believe to restore beauty and youth to any who bathed in them. Ponce De Leon also searched many areas like Bimini and other Bahamanian islands, but never found gold or the mythical fountain. In March of 1513, his ships landed on Florida's present day St. Augustine area. He claimed the land in the name of Spain. He thought that the area was very beautiful and had beautiful beaches, he named it La Florida, which means "place of flowers" in Spanish. He decided to continue exploration, and moved his ships down the coastline. He found rough currents at one point, and named the area Cape Canaveral, which means "Cape of currents". Ponce De Leon continued along the East coast of Florida, moving south to the Keys until he arrived at an island with many turtles on it. He named the island Dry Tortugas because there was no clean water on the island, and "tortugas" means turtles in Spanish.
 * His Discovery of Florida**

When he went further up the west coast of Florida, he entered the Charlotte Harbor area. When he and his men went inland to search for wood and water, they saw the Calusa tribal village at Mound Key. They learned that the Calusa were an unfriendly tribe, so the explorers decided to leave the area and hurried back to their ships, sailing all the way back to Puerto Rico.
 * Ponce De Leon and the Calusa Indians**

In 1521, Ponce De Leon returned again to Florida, this time to build a colony. He placed the colony on the Gulf beaches near Charlotte Harbor and Estero Bay, with 200 settlers, horses, tools and seeds. He planned to set up a farming colony. When they went inland for fresh water, they were ambushed by the Colusa Indians. Ponce De Leon was shot in the thigh by an arrow and was seriously wounded. The settlers decided to leave the area and sail back to Cuba. As a result of his wound, Ponce De Leon perished at the age of 61 in Cuba. He will always be remembered as the courageous conquistador who first explored and named Florida, searching for the Fountain of Youth.
 * Returning to Florida**

By: Maddie Zimpfer


 * This online journal will be based on Ponce De Leon's exploration to Florida.**


 * Ponce De Leon's Journal!**