His Life • Born in Spain • Moved to what is now Mexico (still under Spain) in 1535 • Became governor of Nueva Galicia and sent out several men to explore what is now New Mexico. • When they returned they told him stories of what they saw
Seven Cities of Gold • The men said they saw the Seven Cities of Gold (also known as the Citiy of Cibola). Cities that were covered everywhere in gold
• When Coronado heard of the gold, he decided to explore and find the it! • In 1540 he set out in search of the gold. • He never found it.
Many letters, like this from King Charles V, tell us about the Coronado expedition, where it was, and where they should be heading in search of the Seven Cities of Cibola. There also letters from Coronado to the King that informed the King about the journey and what they saw. In many of Coronado’s letters he mentions the American Indians who he was constantly in close contact with.