Hired by King Francis I of France to explore North America in order to find a northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean, Jacques Cartier arrived in Newfoundland in 1534 after sailing for a mere 20 days. His two later voyages also were successful. Cartier discovered the St. Lawrence River, a natural border existing between present-day Canada and New England, opening up the waterway for European exploration into North America. Continuing up the great river, he made contact with the North American Indian villages of Stadacona (today's Montreal) and Hochel-aga (today's Quebec City). Cartier is also credited with contributing to the creation of a lucrative trading network between the French and the North American Indians and with naming the land "Canada." Jacques Cartier is the story of the first explorer to establish a French presence in North America, an accomplishment that allowed the next generation of French sailors to create the first settlements in Canada.