Cabeza de Vaca (real name Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador famous for his survival and journey across what is now the southeastern United States. Here's his claim to fame:
* He was a survivor of the Narváez expedition: In 1527, he set sail with Panfilo de Narvaez to explore and conquer Florida. The expedition was a disaster, resulting in the death of Narváez and most of his men.
* He traveled across the American Southwest: After surviving a shipwreck and being enslaved by Native Americans, Cabeza de Vaca and three companions managed to escape and journey across what is now Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona for eight years.
* He wrote about his experiences: Cabeza de Vaca documented his extraordinary journey in his book, "La Relación," which provides invaluable insight into the lives of Native Americans in the Southwest during the 16th century.
* His account influenced future exploration: His writings inspired other explorers, like Francisco Vásquez de Coronado, to venture into the American Southwest.
Hernando de Soto was another Spanish explorer, known for his expedition through the southeastern United States from 1539 to 1542, which resulted in the discovery of the Mississippi River.
It's easy to mix up the two names because they both were Spanish explorers, but their journeys and contributions to history are distinct.