Why did Hernando de Soto explore Florida? To spread Christianity

To establish permanent settlements

To find both gold and a water passage to China and Japan

To find a mythical group of seven cities made of gold

pretty sure it’s the second answer establish settlements I haven’t done history in a few weeks though but hope it helps :)

Explanation:

according to my research (britannica and quizlet) the first settlements were along the huang river because it could give the crops more fertile soil that really it out. this was due to the yellow slit caused by floods of the river.