Place #2: Tabasco River, Mexico

In 1519 Cortes took an army of 600-700 men to the coast of Mexico. He arrived in March of 1519, whereupon he and his men sailed up the Tabasco River and all the way up to the town of Tabasco. He then went to San Juan de Ulloa and visited with some native chiefs to learn about the empire of Montezuma and the Aztecs. He wished to visit the Aztec capital city, but the Emperor Montezuma did not want him to. Instead, Montezuma sent Cortes many presents, but Cortes still wanted to go to the city anyway. The Tabasco River location is important because it was the place where Cortes prepared for the conquering of the Aztec civilization.

Travels of Hernan Cortes Google Map link