Who was the first European to explore the eastern United States?

Juan Ponce de León is recognized as the first European to explore parts of what is now the eastern United States. He arrived in Florida in 1513, marking the beginning of European exploration in that region. Ponce de León is particularly known for his search for the Fountain of Youth, a legendary source of eternal youth that contributed to his expedition. His exploration laid the groundwork for further Spanish interest and colonization in North America.

While Christopher Columbus made significant voyages to the Americas beginning in 1492, his explorations did not directly include the eastern continental United States but rather the Caribbean islands. Hernán Cortés is known for his conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico, not for exploring the eastern U.S. Ferdinand Magellan, although a notable explorer for his circumnavigation of the globe, did not explore the eastern United States either. Ponce de León's exploration is thus pivotal in understanding early European encounters with the eastern parts of North America.