Pedro Alonso Niño
Encyclopedia
Pedro Alonso Nino (1455–1505) was a Spanish explorer, also known as El Negro (the Black).
Born in Palos de Moguer, Spain
, he explored the coasts of Africa, and accompanied Christopher Columbus
during his third voyage that saw the discovery of Trinidad
and the mouths of the Orinoco River. After returning to Spain, Niño made preparation to explore the Indies independently, looking for gold and pearls. Empowered by the Council of Castile
to seek out new countries, avoiding those already found by Columbus, he committed to give 20% of his profits for the Spanish Crown
. In the company of brothers Luis and Cristóbal de la Guerra, respectively a rich merchant and a pilot, he left San Lucas in May, 1499 and, after twenty-three days, they arrived at Maracapana. Visiting the islands of Margarita
, Coche, and Cubagua
, they exchanged objects of little value for a large quantity of pearls before sailing up the coast to Punta Araya, where they discovered salt-mines. After just two months they were back in Bayona, Spain, loaded with wealth, but also accused of cheating the King out of his portion of the spoils. Arrested, and with his property confiscated, Nino died before his trial concluded.
Born in Palos de Moguer, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, he explored the coasts of Africa, and accompanied Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
during his third voyage that saw the discovery of Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
and the mouths of the Orinoco River. After returning to Spain, Niño made preparation to explore the Indies independently, looking for gold and pearls. Empowered by the Council of Castile
Council of Castile
The Council of Castile , known earlier as the Royal Council , was a ruling body and key part of the domestic government of the Crown of Castile, second only to the monarch himself. It was established under Queen Isabella I in 1480 as the chief body dealing with administrative and judicial matters...
to seek out new countries, avoiding those already found by Columbus, he committed to give 20% of his profits for the Spanish Crown
Quinto Real
The Quinto Real or the Quinto del rey, the "King's fifth", was a 20% tax established in 1504 that Spain levied on the mining of precious metals. The tax was a major source of revenue for the Spanish monarchy. In 1723 the tax was reduced to 10%....
. In the company of brothers Luis and Cristóbal de la Guerra, respectively a rich merchant and a pilot, he left San Lucas in May, 1499 and, after twenty-three days, they arrived at Maracapana. Visiting the islands of Margarita
Margarita
The margarita is a cocktail consisting of tequila mixed with orange-flavoured liqueur and lime or lemon juice, often served with salt on the glass rim. It is the most common tequila-based cocktail in the United States...
, Coche, and Cubagua
Cubagua
Cubagua or Isla de Cubagua is the smallest and least populated of the three islands constituting the Venezuelan state of Nueva Esparta, after Isla Margarita and Coche. It is located 16 km north of Araya Peninsula, the closest mainland area....
, they exchanged objects of little value for a large quantity of pearls before sailing up the coast to Punta Araya, where they discovered salt-mines. After just two months they were back in Bayona, Spain, loaded with wealth, but also accused of cheating the King out of his portion of the spoils. Arrested, and with his property confiscated, Nino died before his trial concluded.