Who was the first European to explore the interior of present-day Georgia?

Hernando de Soto is recognized as the first European to explore the interior of present-day Georgia. His expedition, which took place in the 1530s, was significant as it marked one of the earliest European ventures into the southeastern United States. De Soto and his men traveled extensively through what is now Georgia, searching for riches and establishing contact with Native American tribes. This exploration provided valuable insights into the geography, indigenous cultures, and resources of the region.

In contrast, James Oglethorpe is known for founding the colony of Georgia in 1733, well after de Soto's exploration, and focused primarily on establishing a settlement rather than exploring the interior. Christopher Columbus, while a pivotal figure in the discovery of the New World, never set foot on the mainland of what is now the United States, including Georgia. Juan Ponce de León is primarily associated with the exploration of Florida and did not venture into the territory of Georgia. Thus, Hernando de Soto is correctly identified as the first European to explore this interior region.