USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Seven Cities of Cibola | National Geographic. An 1898 painting by Frederic Remington portrays Spanish explorer Francisco Vazquez de Coronado on his ill-fated quest in 1541 to find the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Seven Cities of Cibola are the mythical lands of gold that the Spanish of the 16th century believed existed somewhere in the southwest of North America, comparable to the better-known mythical city of El Dorado.

Detailed explanation-3: -However, his report also made mention of the “Seven Cities of Cibola.” Though Fray Marcos’ report was garbled and exaggerated, Viceroy Mendoza was convinced of the cities’ existence. He promptly began planning an official expedition and chose his close friend, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, to lead it.

Detailed explanation-4: -After reaching Culiacán, Coronado and 100 soldiers, anxious to behold Cibola, marched swiftly ahead of the slower-moving main army. On July 7, 1540, they arrived at Háwikuh, south of present-day Gallup, New Mexico, and first of the fabled Cities of Cibola. But a major disappointment awaited the Spaniards.