Alonso Álvarez de Pineda was a Spanish explorer and cartographer born around 1494. He is best known for mapping the coastline of Texas and parts of Mexico in 1519. His detailed maps were significant for future explorers and settlers in the region. Pineda's expedition was one of the first to provide a comprehensive view of the Gulf Coast of North America. He was also involved in the early exploration of the Mississippi River and played a role in the Spanish colonization efforts in the New World. His contributions helped shape the understanding of the geography of the area.