What is conquistador definition?

A conquistador is an adventurer, explorer, or conqueror who travelled to and conquered the Americas, particularly Central and South America, during the 16th and 17th centuries. The term "conquistador" is derived from Spanish, with the word "conquista" meaning conquest. These individuals were typically sponsored by European countries like Spain, Portugal, and England, and aimed to find wealth, power, and land through their expeditions. While they are often perceived as heroic figures in Western history, they also caused significant harm and destruction to indigenous people, including genocide, slavery, and forced assimilation.