Who is considered the first European to have seen the Great Plains of America?

Francisco Vásquez de Coronado

During the 1540s, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado set out in search of the legendary cities of gold, exploring what is now the southwestern United States. When he reached the Great Plains, he became the first European to witness their majestic vastness, captivated by the expanse and splendor of these unexplored lands. This discovery not only enriched the geographical knowledge of the time but also opened a new chapter in the history of exploration, inspiring future expeditions into these vast territories still mysterious to Europe.