{"id":11877,"date":"2023-10-21T07:30:17","date_gmt":"2023-10-21T06:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/?p=11877"},"modified":"2023-10-21T07:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-21T06:30:17","slug":"who-was-the-first-european-to-explore-the-mississippi-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aboutriver.com\/who-was-the-first-european-to-explore-the-mississippi-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Who Was The First European To Explore The Mississippi River"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Mississippi River is the second-longest river in the United States and one of the greatest rivers in history. It was the first river discovered by European explorers in the modern world. People have lived along the banks of the Mississippi since the Native American tribes the Cherokees, Chickasaws, and Choctaws inhabited the region. The discovery of the mighty Mississippi River by Europeans is an important part of American history.<\/p>\n

The first European to explore the Mississippi was Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1541. De Soto, a Spanish conquistador, was searching for gold and a passage to the Pacific Ocean. He had already led an expedition to South America, and now set off with a large group to explore what is now the southeastern United States. He and his team became the first Europeans to visit the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes and to experience the waters of the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n

De Soto’s journey was a long and difficult one. He and his team had to battle malaria, storms, and dangerous wild animals on their voyage. They explored many areas of the southeastern United States, including what is now Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. His expedition was eventually thwarted due to a lack of supplies and conflict with Native Americans. Despite these hardships, de Soto was the first European to explore what would become one of the most vital rivers of America.<\/p>\n

De Soto’s exploration of the Mississippi River was considered revolutionary and inspiring by many. After his initial exploration, the European exploration of the Mississippi became more frequent, leading to settlements in the area and ultimately to the economic development of the United States. De Soto’s journey established the importance of the river and how it could be used to settle the land and build a new nation.<\/p>\n

Economic Impact of the Mississippi River<\/h2>\n