Question

which spanish explorer found the mississippi river?
a) christopher columbus
b) hernando cortes
c) partial text, likely another explorer
d) hernando de soto

Explanation:

To determine which Spanish explorer found the Mississippi River, we recall historical facts:

• Christopher Columbus explored the Caribbean and Americas but not the Mississippi.
• Hernando Cortés conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico.
• Cabeza de Vaca was shipwrecked and explored parts of the southern US but not the Mississippi.
• Hernando de Soto led an expedition that discovered the Mississippi River in 1541.

Answer:

The Spanish explorer who found the Mississippi River is Hernando de Soto (corresponding to the option with "Hernando de Soto").