Which explorer is recognized for leading the first European expedition along the Pacific coast of America?

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

Vasco Núñez de Balboa made his mark in history in 1513 by crossing the Isthmus of Panama, becoming the first European to observe the Pacific Ocean from the Americas. This significant discovery revealed the existence of a vast ocean separating America from Asia, paving the way for future Spanish expeditions and the conquest of new territories. It not only proved the unknown extent of the world but also spurred competition among European powers for exploration and maritime dominance. By this act, Balboa laid the groundwork for the global era of exploration, highlighting the strategic importance of the Pacific in the centuries to come.