Hernando de Soto was a prominent European explorer known for being one of the first to map parts of the Appalachian region.

In the 1530s, de Soto led an expedition through the southeastern United States, which included exploration of areas within the Appalachian Mountains. His journey provided some of the earliest European documentation of the region's geography, natural resources, and Indigenous cultures. De Soto's travels contributed valuable knowledge about the Appalachian landscape, helping to shape European understanding and future exploration of North America. His legacy remains significant in the history of exploration in the Appalachian region.