Historical Accounts of Spanish Explorers on the Mississippi River
For centuries, the Mississippi River has served as an essential route for exploration and commerce in the United States. It was also the site of many first contact moments between Europeans and indigenous Americans. Without question, the Spanish were among the first groups to arrive in the New World and explore the Mississippi River Valley. In this article, we take a look at what the Spanish explorers called the Mississippi River.
The Spanish conquistadors under the command of Hernando de Soto first arrived in present-day Florida in 1539 and began their exploration of the area. From the lands of Florida, the expedition traveled into the interior of the North American continent in search of the legendary riches of Cibola. Over the course of several years, the expedition traveled through the lands of what is now Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
It is believed that, when the expedition first arrived at the Mississippi River, they simply referred to it as El Rio. This is because that was the common Spanish descriptor for any large river. However, as the expedition continued further west along the river, they developed a few more descriptive terms for the waterway.
For example, it is believed that one of the expedition’s members, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, referred to the Mississippi River as El Rio del Espiritu Santo, which translates to “River of the Holy Spirit.” When the expedition arrived in the Gulf of Mexico, they called it El Rio de las Canoas, which translates to “River of the Canoes.”
Other Spanish explorers who arrived in North America later, such as Juan Bautista de Anza and Francisco Valezquez de Coronado, also referred to the Mississippi River as El Rio. It is believed that the name stuck with the Spanish and was later adopted by the English who colonized the area.
Finally, in some historical accounts, the Spanish also referred to the Mississippi River as El Rio de Pontchartrain. This stems from the fact that the Spanish were the first Europeans to discover and explore the Gulf of Mexico. When the expedition arrived at the shore of the gulf, they observed the huge expanse of water and thus attempted to identify it with a place-name. Pontchartrain was the most obvious choice and thus the Spanish explorers began calling the Mississippi River “El Rio de Pontchartrain.”
What the Natives Called the Mississippi River
It is important to note that while the Spanish expeditions to the New World referred to the Mississippi River as El Rio, native tribes had their own names for it. According to one account, the Chickasaw tribe referred to the river as “Hikay’yatee”, which translates to “big river.” The Choctaw tribes are also known to have their own name for the river. One such name was “Chukka Homma,” which translates to “big river.”
However, these names were seldom used by the Spanish. Instead, they adopted the name El Rio and continued to refer to it thus even after colonizing the region and referring it in numerous legal documents and maps. It was only when colonists from England arrived and translated the term El Rio into English, that it became “the Mississippi.”
Impact of Spanish in Naming The Mississippi River
While the impact of the first Spanish explorers on the naming of the Mississippi River has long been discounted, recent scholarship has suggested that the Spanish had a much more significant influence than previously thought. This is evident in the fact that the name El Rio was quickly adopted by the colonists in the New World and passed down to us today as “the Mississippi.”
The primary proof of the Spanish explorers’ influence over the naming of the Mississippi River comes from the large amount of legal documents and maps produced in the 16th century in which the river is referred to as El Rio. This suggests that the Spanish were the first to use this name and that it was later adopted by the English.
The fact that the Spanish were the first to explore, name, and chart the Mississippi River is undeniable. Their exploits and the stories of their discoveries are part of the history of North America and have continued to shape the way the river is seen, used, and thought of to this day.
The Meaning of the Name “Mississippi”
The origin and meaning of the word “Mississippi” is a mystery that has yet to be completely unraveled. One possible explanation is that it is an alteration of the French word “Messipi,” which in turn is derived from an Indigenous word meaning “great river.”
The French, who were the second Europeans to settle in the New World, adopted the name El Rio from the Spanish and translated it into French. This explains why, even today, in France, the river is known as “Le Mississippi.” It is thus possible that the English settlers adopted the French spelling when referring to the river and thus the name “Mississippi” was born.
It is also possible that the name “Mississippi” is derived from the Indigenous Chippewa and Ojibwe phrase “misi-ziibi,” which translates to “Great River.” This explanation is supported by the fact that the Ojibwe lived in the region of the Great Lakes and thus had extensive knowledge of the river they called “misi-ziibi.”
Modern Impact of the Mississippi River
Today, the Mississippi River is a major artery of commerce, recreation, and transportation in the United States. It stretches more than 2,300 miles and bisects 10 states, including Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Kentucky. Over 45 million people call its watershed home, making it one of the most populated rivers in the world. It is an essential part of the United States economy and is a major source of hydroelectric power.
The Mississippi River also continues to play an important role in American culture, literature, and art. Its importance to the nation is evident in the numerous songs, books, and films that feature the river. In addition, it has long been a site of spiritual significance for many of the Indigenous people who called it home before the arrival of the Europeans.
Environmental Impact of Mississippi River
In recent decades, the Mississippi River has undergone significant changes due to human activities, resulting in a range of environmental issues. These include water pollution, sediment accumulation, invasive species, and soil depletion. These challenges have been expedited by the increasing population of the river’s watershed, leading to more runoff and agricultural waste.
On top of this, recent research has suggested that global climate change will have an increasingly severe impact on the Mississippi River due to rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea level rise. These changes will likely exacerbate already existing issues and create new ones, such as longer and more intense droughts and floods.
In response to these challenges, various initiatives have been put in place to manage the river’s resources, protect its waters, reduce pollution, and preserve its habitats for future generations. These efforts are ongoing, and involve collaboration between local, state, and federal agencies, as well as citizens and Indigenous communities.
Conservation Efforts for the Mississippi River
In recent years, a number of organizations have instigated various conservation projects to protect the Mississippi River and its surrounding habitats. This includes initiatives such as the Mississippi River Network, the clean water fundraising campaign associated with the Upper Midwest 10 Percent Challenge, and the national and state-level efforts of American Rivers.
These projects have been centered around increasing public awareness, promoting sustainable water practices, restoring habitats and species in the region, and empowering local communities to monitor and manage their local waterways. In addition, organizations such as the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI) have also been working to promote economic development and community building along the river.
The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency have also been actively involved in protecting the Mississippi River and its associated ecosystems. In particular, the two agencies are responsible for the management of Flood Control Dams, Wetland Restoration Projects, and the Clean Water Act.
Conclusion
From its exploration and naming by the Spanish to its impact on modern culture and commerce, the Mississippi River has earned its place in the history of the United States. Thanks to the efforts of conservation organizations and government agencies, the river is being protected and managed, ensuring the preservation of its invaluable resources and habitats for future generations.
