Vasco Núñez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer and conquistador born in 1475. He is best known for being the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. In 1513, he crossed the Isthmus of Panama and claimed the ocean for Spain, which he named the "South Sea." Balboa's journey was significant in the age of exploration, as it opened up new routes for trade and conquest. He faced many challenges, including conflicts with indigenous peoples and rival explorers. Ultimately, Balboa was executed in 1519 due to political intrigue, but his legacy as a pioneer remains important in history.