Juan de la Cosa

Juan de la Cosa (c. 1450 – February 28, 1510) is a Spanish navigator and cartographer, known for designing the earliest European world map that incorporates the territories of the Americas that are discovered in the fifteenth century.

De la Cosa plays an important role in the first and second voyage of Christopher Columbus to the West Indies, since he is the owner and captain of the Santa María.

In 1499, he serves as the chief pilot in the expedition of Alonso de Ojeda to the coasts of South America.

Upon his return to Andalusia, he draws his famous mappa mundi ("world map") and soon returns to the Indies, this time with Rodrigo de Bastidas.

In the following years, De la Cosa alternates trips to America under its own command with special duties from the Crown, including an assignment as a spy in Lisbon and participation in the board of pilots held in Burgos in 1508.

In 1509, he begins what will be his last expedition, again with Ojeda, to take possession of the coasts of modern Colombia.

De la Cosa dies in an armed confrontation with indigenous people before he can get possession of Urabá.

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