Why did the Spanish initially explore the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River? to spread their culture and influence across the area
to find a northwest passage to Asia
to look for gold and silver and other treasures
to document landforms and identify plant and animal species

The motives for Spanish exploration was to find Northwest Passage, which they believed was a direct and efficient route to the Orient - home of spices, silks and wealth. The Spanish explorers were in search of mineral wealth, looking for El Dorado (the City of Gold) and they aspired to spread Christianity.

Explanation:

B)to find a northwest passage to Asia

Explanation:

let me know if it is right or wrong

its b because the spainish were looking for atrade route to asia so they crosed the atlantic and they were looking to go through a peninsila through south america

idk you know what i mean hahahaha