10. Francisco de Orellana
In 1541, Francisco de Orellana embarked on an expedition down the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon, seeking provisions for his party. Facing starvation and disease, Orellana and his men continued downstream, eventually reaching the mouth of the Amazon River in August 1542. Along the journey, they encountered indigenous tribes, leading Orellana to name the river after the legendary Amazons of Greek mythology. This exploration marked a significant chapter in the era of conquistadores. (britannica.com)
