Who was the Spanish explorer credited with the first European contact in New Mexico?

The correct answer identifies Francisco Vázquez de Coronado as the Spanish explorer credited with the first notable European exploration in the area that is now New Mexico. Coronado led an expedition from 1540 to 1542 in search of the legendary Seven Cities of Gold. During this expedition, he traversed vast territories of what is today the southwestern United States, including parts of modern New Mexico, making significant contact with Indigenous peoples living in these regions.

The significance of Coronado's journey lies in its contribution to European knowledge of the geography, inhabitants, and resources of North America. His explorations included encounters with various Native American groups, documenting their cultures and communities, which greatly expanded the European understanding of the interior lands of North America.

Hernán Cortés is primarily known for his conquest of the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico, thus his activities were focused more to the south, while Juan de Oñate followed later in the late 16th century to establish a permanent colony in New Mexico. Alonso de Ojeda's expeditions were mainly in South America and the Caribbean, not in the regions of New Mexico. Therefore, recognizing Coronado's role as the first European contact in New Mexico is crucial to understanding the historical context of Spanish exploration