Francisco de Coronado was a Spanish explorer born in 1510 in Spain. He is best known for leading an expedition in the 1540s that explored large parts of the southwestern United States, including present-day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Coronado was searching for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold, which were rumored to be rich in treasures. Coronado's journey began in 1540 and included encounters with various Native American tribes, such as the Pueblo people. Although he did not find the riches he sought, his expedition provided valuable information about the geography and cultures of the region, contributing to European knowledge of North America.