A motivating factor for European exploration was wealth.  France was able to make money with animal furs.  Spain was looking to make money with gold.   Spanish rulers heard stories of cities made of gold and other precious gems.  They were the Seven Cities of Cibola.  These cities were to exist in present-day southwestern United States.  It was the job of Francisco Coronado to find the Seven Cities of Cibola and claim it for Spain.

In 1540, Coronado left Mexico with his expedition team and traveled north to search for the famous Seven Cities of Cibola.  Coronado and his team searched endlessly for the cities.  After months of searching they finally reached Cibola (present-day New Mexico).  Instead of finding streets paved in gold, they saw mountains, deserts, and very little to eat. 

Coronado soon realized that the Seven Cities of Cibola was just a myth.  He then decided to continue his search of what this territory had to offer.  He traveled through present day Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.  Coronado and his team came across the Continental Divide and the Grand Canyon.

Even though Coronado was not able to find the Seven Cities of Cibola, he was able to claim the southwest United States for Spain.  The expedition also brought the Spanish into contact with the Pueblo Indians.