The Spanish conqueror and explorer Diego de Almagro (ca. 1474-1538) had an important share in the Inca conquest and was the first European to visit Chile by land.

Diego de Almagro was a foundling, born probably in the town of Almagro, near Ciudad Real. His first 40 years are obscure, though he appears to have had a military career. He reached America in 1514 with the fleet that brought the Spanish conqueror Pedrarias (Pedro Arias de Avila) to govern the Isthmus of Darien.

In 1524 Almagro formed a partnership with Francisco Pizarro and the priest Hernando de Luque, Vicar of Panama, to investigate reports of Inca wealth to the south. The two lay partners had no financial means, but Luque was able to borrow the money. Pedrarias was uninterested in the enterprise and made no objection, and Pizarro sailed late in 1524. Almagro was delayed several months but then followed the present...