The first Europeans to explore the area that is now Louisiana were Spanish explorers in the 16th century. In 1519, Alonso Álvarez de Pineda sailed along the Gulf Coast and made the first European map of the area. In 1528, Pánfilo de Narváez landed in Florida with a group of 600 men and attempted to march across the continent to Mexico. However, the expedition was a disaster, and only four men, including Cabeza de Vaca, survived.
French Exploration
In 1682, the French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, sailed down the Mississippi River and claimed the entire Mississippi River Valley for France. He named the area "Louisiane" in honor of King Louis XIV.
In the early 18th century, the French established a number of settlements in Louisiana, including New Orleans, Mobile, and Baton Rouge. The French also explored the area around the Great Lakes and the Ohio River Valley.
Spanish Exploration
In 1762, France ceded Louisiana to Spain in the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Seven Years' War. The Spanish explored the area around the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest.
American Exploration
In 1800, Spain ceded Louisiana back to France in the Treaty of San Ildefonso. In 1803, the United States purchased Louisiana from France for $15 million. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and gave the United States control of the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans.
The Louisiana Purchase also led to a number of American explorations of the West, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Zebulon Pike Expedition. These explorations helped to open up the West to American settlement.
Exploration of Louisiana Today
Today, Louisiana is still a popular destination for explorers. The state is home to a number of national parks and wildlife refuges, including the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and the Barataria Preserve. Visitors to Louisiana can explore the state's swamps, forests, and bayous by boat, kayak, or on foot.