Juan Ortiz de Zárate facts for kids

Juan Ortiz de Zárate (born around 1521 in Orduña, Spain – died 1575 in Asunción, Paraguay) was a Spanish explorer. He was also a "conquistador," which means a Spanish leader who helped explore and take control of new lands in the Americas. He came from the Basque region of Spain.

Juan Ortiz de Zárate traveled to the Americas when he was a teenager. There, he joined the Spanish efforts to explore and settle new territories. He was part of the group that explored Peru under a leader named Diego de Almagro.

Becoming a Governor

After some time, a leader named Francisco Ortiz de Vergara was removed from his position. The Spanish explorers wanted Juan Ortiz de Zárate to take his place. However, the Royal Audience (a high court in the Spanish colonies) said he had to go back to Spain. He needed to get official approval from the Council of the Indies (a special council in Spain that managed the colonies). While he was gone, Felipe de Cáceres governed in his place.

The Adelantado Title

Juan Ortiz de Zárate returned to Spain and received an important title. He was named the third adelantado of the Governorate of the Río de la Plata. An adelantado was a special governor who had permission from the King of Spain to explore, settle, and rule new lands.

His main goals were to explore and help people settle in these new lands. He also aimed to found new towns. Another important task was to bring cattle and horses to the region. These animals were very important for farming and transportation.

The Journey to South America

Juan Ortiz de Zárate's expedition left the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in Spain in October 1572. Their journey across the ocean was long. They finally reached the mouth of the Río de la Plata (a large river estuary) more than a year later. They landed near where the city of Colonia, Uruguay is today.

Facing Challenges

Once in the new land, Zárate tried to make peace with the Charrúa people. The Charrúa were a native group who had caused trouble for earlier Spanish settlements in what is now Uruguay. However, the Charrúa attacked Zárate's group. He and his men had to find safety on Martín García Island.

A leader named Juan de Garay was called to help. Garay had recently founded the city of Santa Fe, Argentina. He quickly came to their rescue. Together, their forces were able to defeat the Charrúas.

Ortiz de Zárate had to leave some soldiers to guard the new settlement. Then, he continued his journey to Asunción (in modern-day Paraguay). This was where he would officially take up his post as governor.

His Time as Governor

Juan Ortiz de Zárate served as governor until he died in 1575. Before he passed away, he wanted his daughter, Juana, to take over his authority. However, his daughter's husband, Juan Torres de Vera y Aragón, became the next governor instead.

See also

In Spanish: Juan Ortiz de Zárate para niños