Final answer:
The Cherokee were the Native Americans found in southeastern North America during the mid-1500s. The Aztecs and Incas were located in Mesoamerica and South America, respectively, and the Iroquois were in the northeast.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Native Americans found in southeastern North America during the time of exploration in the mid-1500s were the Cherokee. The Aztec and Inca empires were located in Mesoamerica and South America, respectively, while the Iroquois were primarily based in the northeastern regions of what is now the United States.
The Cherokee were part of the Southeast culture, which was based on agriculture and included tribes such as the Chickasaw and Seminole. These societies had hierarchical structures with powerful chiefs and were known for constructing their homes and other structures in mound shapes. They were devastated by diseases brought by Europeans and were later forced to relocate during events like the Trail of Tears.