Hernan Cortes is the explorer not correctly matched with his region. He did not explore western South America, but instead explored Mexico. He fought in Mexico and led the downfall of the Aztec Empire. For this, he received a high-ranking medal and this helped him move up as a noble of a better level in the social ranking. He also used the tactics of being friends with some indigenous groups versus others. He brought large parts of Mexico under the Spanish Castille rule.