Spanish explorers were adventurers from Spain who traveled to new lands during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries. They sought wealth, land, and new trade routes, often claiming territories for the Spanish crown. Notable explorers included Christopher Columbus, who discovered the Americas in 1492, and Hernán Cortés, who conquered the Aztec Empire. These explorers played a significant role in expanding European knowledge of the world. Their journeys led to the establishment of Spanish colonies in the Americas, which greatly influenced the culture, economy, and politics of the regions they encountered.