The Lewis and Clark Expedition is one of the most important legacies of a young and rapidly growing American nation, as are its important participants who recorded essential information for new generations of explorers by teaching them the skills necessary to travel to new lands. During this expedition, many unknown species of animals and plants were discovered, constituting an advance in history and benefits for science. Another result of this famous expedition was the recording of the landscape and the different areas of the Missouri River located in the western United States, with more precise information that aided the relocation of new settlers, as well as the trade and sale of goods to friendly tribes . After Thomas Jefferson purchased the state of Louisiana from France in 1803, Jefferson wanted to organize an expedition to formalize the purchase and to find a quicker route to the Pacific Ocean. He organized an expedition by borrowing $2,500 from Congress to record and verify the newly purchased land and rivers. He chose his personal secretary Meriwether Lewis, for his many service to the president and love of country, to lead the expedition. Lewis appointed William Clark to share command of the crew. The expedition left St. Louis, Missouri, in late May 1804, then traveled up the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, crossed the Rocky Mountains, and then down the Columbia River to the Pacific Ocean. The crew faces many conflicts during the journey such as insects, lack of food, and the natives. To gain safety in the lands, they recruited guides from peaceful tribes. One of the most notable was Sacajawea, a young Native girl who was the only woman on the expedition...middle of paper......to the western United States. As a result, Clark generated a new map of the west that reflected the new routes to travel, and with the help of translators, they found many tribes to trade with and different ways to survive in the new territories. important part of US history because of the many aspects needed for its success, even though it lasted several months and its characters faced hardships, it showed that it took cooperation and courage to discover the unknown. Works Cited “Lewis and Clark: A History and Overview of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the Pacific Coast. History of Geography. 2008. About.com. December 6, 2013. Web. “Lewis and Clark.” National Geographic. 1996. NationalGeographic .com. 6 December 2013. Web "Lewis and Clark: Mapping the West".. 2013