 After the failure of the expedition of Diego de Almagro in 1536, the lands to the south of Peru (then known as "Nueva Toledo", extending from the 14° — close to modern day Pisco, Peru — to the 25° latitude — close to Taltal, Chile) had remained unexplored.Valdivia asked governor Francisco Pizarro for permission to complete the conquest of that territory.He got his permission but was appointed only "Lieutenant Governor", and not Governor as he had wanted.