Ponce De León was a Spanish explorer and conquistador born in 1460. He is best known for his exploration of Florida in the early 16th century. Ponce De León was one of the first Europeans to set foot in the region, and he is often associated with the legend of the Fountain of Youth, a mythical spring that supposedly restored youth to those who drank from it. In 1513, Ponce De León led an expedition to Florida, claiming the land for Spain. He served as the first governor of Puerto Rico and played a significant role in the early Spanish colonization of the Americas. His explorations contributed to European knowledge of the southeastern United States.