Francisco de Orellana
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Francisco de Orellana (c1500-c1549) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador.
Orellana took part in the Spanish conquest of Peru with Francisco Pizarro, and was one of Gonzalo Pizarro's lieutenants during Pizarro's 1541 expedition into the South American interior.
In December 1541, at what is today the Napo River, Orellana's ship was separated from the main force. In one of the most improbably successful voyages in known history, Orellana managed to sail the length of the Amazon River, arriving at the river's mouth in August 1542.
It was on this voyage that the Amazon got its name; Orellana wrote that he was attacked by fierce female warriors, but it is possible that he actually fought long haired male Amerindian warriors.
Orellana died on a subsequent voyage down the Amazon.
He today has a province of Ecuador (Orellana) named after him.
Reference
- Explorers of the Amazon, Anthony Smith ISBN 0670813109fr:Francisco de Orellana
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