VASCO DE BALBOA

Vasco De Balboa was born in 1475, in Jerez de los Caballeros, in western Spain. Vasco De Balboa is originally Vasco Nunez De Balboa. Balboa was a conqueror, an explorer and a governor. Balboa was the first European to cross the Isthmus of Panama to reach the Pacific on an expedition from the new world to the Americas. Balboa was basically poor. He then went on a Rodrigo De Bastidas expedition along the Columbian coast of South America, till they found out they didn’t had enough men to go further. They finally settled in Hispaniola, an island that is currently Dominican Republic and Haiti in 1502. Being an unsuccessful farmer and heavily into debts, Balboa was forced to move out.

In 1509, he escaped from his captors and hid in a barrel on a ship, which was on an expedition to Panama commanded by Martin Fernandez de Encisco, carrying soldiers to the coast. Though he was found out later, his charisma and his knowledge about the region of Hispaniola and its surrounding regions made him a vital person for the crew. Balboa guided the Spanish to a victory over the locals and the first permanent settlement in the mainland American soil was formed and was named Santa Maria. The place was rich and it prospered further under Balboa. He later became the governor of Veraguas.

Balboa was successful in winning the respect of his companions and slowly expanded his territory by invading the local tribes. He was successful in planting corn, built a shipyard, and was very severe on cannibals. He then heard of a new sea, and then by using all the means possible, violence and diplomacy, Balboa waged a long battle for the conquest of the south sea. While returning to Santa Maria ,he chose a different route, but made a rivalry with Pedro Arias and it led to his arrest. Later the disputes were settled and Balboa was let go on another expedition on the south sea. But halfway through, he was arrested by the men of Francisco Pizarro under charges of taking over Pedro Arias’s power, and was trialed in 1519. His four supporters were also beheaded along with Balboa with an axe.

There are several parks and avenues in Panama with the name of Balboa, even the panama’s currency is called the Balboa, which honor the Spanish Vasco Nunez De Balboa.