GRIJALBA, JUAN DE

born 1480?, Cullar, Spain died Jan. 21, 1527, Honduras Grijalba also spelled Grijalva Spanish explorer, nephew of the conquistador Diego Velzquez; he was one of the first to explore the eastern coast of Mexico. Grijalba accompanied Velzquez in the conquest of Cuba (1511) and founded the city of Trinidad (1514). In 1518, Velzquez, as governor of Cuba, sent Grijalba to explore the Yucatn Peninsula. Setting sail from Cuba with four ships and about 200 men, Grijalba became the first navigator to set foot on Mexican soil and the first to use the term New Spain. He and his men mapped rivers and discovered Cozumel Island. During their explorations, the men heard tales of a rich civilization in the interior. At last Grijalba met with its representatives, thus becoming the first European to have contact with the Aztecs. From the Indians, Grijalba learned of the existence of the Aztec emperor Montezuma, and Montezuma, depressed and fatalistic, learned of the landing of the white men. When he returned to Cuba, his uncle had already heard reports of the riches of the new lands and was furious that his nephew had made no attempt at settlement, although Grijalba's orders had been to explore only. As a result, Grijalba was passed over and the job of colonization was given to Hernn Corts. Grijalba accompanied Corts on his expedition (1519). After joining Pedro Arias Dvila's expedition to Central America, he was ambushed and killed by Indians. It was Grijalba's explorations that paved the way for the Corts exploration, thereby leading to the conquest of Mexico and all of Central America by Spain.