Hernando de Soto was one of the first European explorers to traverse the Coastal Plains.

This explorer made significant contributions to the early exploration of the southeastern United States in the 16th century. His expedition, which began in 1539, aimed to discover gold and other riches, leading him through present-day Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and beyond. De Soto’s journey provided some of the earliest European accounts of the region’s geography, native cultures, and ecosystems. While his quest for wealth was largely unsuccessful, his exploration paved the way for future European exploration and settlement, leaving a lasting impact on the history of the Coastal Plains.