Spanish soldiers and adventurers in the 16th century. The most famous conquistadores were Hernando Cortés, the conqueror of Aztec Mexico, and Francisco Pizarro, the conqueror of Inca Peru; but there were many others. Their discoveries and conquests included the Caribbean, Latin America, southern and south-western USA, and the Philippines. Many would-be conquistadores explored immense areas but conquered nothing and founded no permanent settlements. As proper colonial administrations were established their activity diminished.