Why he explored: 
Samuel de Champlain explored the St. Lawrence River for the King of France. He also explored Lake Ontario. He was trying to find the Northwest Passage-what he thought would be a short cut to Asia.

Interesting Facts and Details: 
He went to sea early in life and he became a solider. On a two-year trip, he visited the Spanish settlements in Mexico. Champlain joined the French Army around the age of 20 and served until 1598.He was the first person to write about the Niagara Falls and he began a fur trading post on the St. Lawrence River. He named Quebec, which was the first permanent settlement in New France. He became friendly with the Algonquian and helped fight against the Iroquois. In 1629 Champlain was captured by the English and held captive until 1632. He was returned to New France and was governor until he died on Christmas Day in 1635. 

SUMMARY: 
In 1599 Champlain made his first voyage to North America, sailing to Spanish America and the West Indes. In 1608, Champlain founded Canada's oldest city, Quebec. In 1609 he discovered a huge lake and named it Lake Champlain, after himself. One of the last times he sailed, to Canada was in 1615. Champlain and another explorer named Ettina sailed the Ottawa River. Champlain's maps were the first maps of the Atlantic Coast. He also mapped the St. Lawrence River and the Gaspe Peninsula.

By Kara, Emma and Noah