Who was the first spaniard to explore the interior of Texas?

The first Spaniard to explore the interior of Texas was Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca. He arrived in the region in the early 16th century after surviving a shipwreck in 1528. Cabeza de Vaca journeyed through Texas for nearly a decade, interacting with various Native American tribes and documenting his experiences, which provided early insights into the geography and cultures of the area. His accounts significantly contributed to European knowledge of the interior of North America.