Final answer:
Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador who explored the Spanish Caribbean and Panama before conquering the Inca Empire in South America, where he founded Lima and effectively ended the Incan civilization.
Step-by-step explanation:
Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador who is known for conquering the Inca Empire in South America. Before his infamous campaign against the Incas, Pizarro made his way to the Spanish Caribbean in 1509, participating in successful expeditions in Panama. Drawn by the promise of wealth and titles, he followed rumors of Inca riches and made several attempts to subdue the Inca Empire starting in the 1520s, with initial failures.
In 1529, Pizarro was appointed the governor of Peru, and he set sail from Panama in 1530 after receiving authorization from Queen Isabella of Portugal and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who was also king of Spain. Upon his arrival in Peru in 1532, Pizarro and his men captured and executed the Incan emperor Atahualpa and seized the capital Cuzco, establishing Spanish rule over the region. Pizarro founded the port city of Lima, Peru, in 1533 before his assassination in 1541 by the followers of his rival, Diego Almagro.