Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521. He is often referred to as 'The Conqueror of Mexico' and his name is associated with the phrase 'The March of Cortes'. The term 'SEA of Cortes' is used to refer to the body of water between the Baja California Peninsula and the Mexican mainland, which was discovered by Cortes during his expedition.