(1491-1557) French explorer, first European to explore and map the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River in 1534. Cartier claimed northern North America for France, naming the area New France. From 1534 to 1541, he made three trips. Like other explorers, Cartier made exaggerated claims of mineral wealth in America, but he was unable to send great riches back to France or establish a permanent settlement in North America. Explorer [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Samuel de Champlain]] explored the Caribbean in 1601 and then the coast of New England in 1603 before traveling farther north and founding Quebec in 1608.