Gil González Dávila

Gil González Dávila was a Spanish conquistador who explored northward from Panama. He led an expedition that discovered civilization around Lake Nicaragua in 1522. This discovery led to the establishment of Spanish colonies in the region. However, his kinsman and governor of Panama, Pedro Arias Dávila (Pedrarias), became jealous and forced Dávila to flee to Santo Domingo before a colony could be firmly planted. Pedrarias then sent another conquistador, Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, who founded Granada and León in Nicaragua. Dávila later returned to Central America and became involved in a struggle for control of Honduras against the forces of Pedrarias and Hernán Cortés.