Search Results - Vásquez de Coronado, Juan

Juan Vázquez de Coronado

Juan Vázquez de Coronado y Anaya (; 1523–1565) was a Spanish conquistador, remembered especially for his role in the colonization of Costa Rica, in Central America, where he gained a reputation for fairness, effective administration, and good relationships with the native population. He was a nephew of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado y Luján, who explored the southwestern United States between 1540 and 1542.

By a decree given at Aranjuez by King Philip II of Spain on 8 April 1565, Juan Vásquez de Coronado was appointed as the first royal governor and first ''Adelantado'' (a hereditary title) of the province of Costa Rica, but his ship disappeared in a storm off the coast of southern Spain while he was on his way to receive his appointments from the monarch. He was married to Isabel, a niece of Pedro Arias Dávila, the principal conqueror of Panama. The Vázquez de Coronado Canton, one of the administrative divisions of the Province of San José, in the Republic Costa Rica, was named in his honor. Provided by Wikipedia