Age of Exploration and Discovery

Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, under the patronage of the Spanish King and Queen, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer and navigator who was the first European to reach India by sea. His discovery of a sea route to India had a profound impact on the global economy and trade.

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer and navigator who led the first circumnavigation of the world. He set out from Spain in 1519 with five ships and crossed the Pacific Ocean, reaching the Philippines. He was killed in a battle with natives in the Philippines, but his crew completed the circumnavigation under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano.

Marco Polo was an Italian explorer and merchant who traveled to China in the 13th century. He spent 17 years in China, serving as an official in the court of Kublai Khan. His book, The Travels of Marco Polo, is one of the most famous travelogues in history.

Leif Erikson was a Norse explorer who is credited with discovering North America in the 10th century. He is the son of Erik the Red, who founded the first Norse settlement in Greenland.

Zheng He was a Chinese admiral who led seven expeditions to the Indian Ocean in the 15th century. He visited over 30 countries and established trade relations with many of them. His expeditions were the largest and most ambitious maritime expeditions in history.

Niccolò da Conti was an Italian explorer who traveled to Persia and India in the 15th century. He spent 25 years in Asia, traveling as far as Southeast Asia. His book, The Travels of Niccolò da Conti, is one of the most important sources of information about Asia in the 15th century.

Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese explorer who discovered Brazil in 1500. He was originally on a voyage to India, but his ships were blown off course by a storm. He landed in Brazil and claimed it for Portugal.

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire in 1521. He landed in Mexico in 1519 with a small force of soldiers and quickly gained the support of the native peoples who were oppressed by the Aztecs. He marched on the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, and defeated the Aztec emperor, Moctezuma II.

Martin Frobisher was an English explorer who is credited with discovering the Northwest Passage in 1576. He made three voyages to the Arctic in search of a sea route to Asia. He reached Baffin Island and explored the coast of Canada.

Diogo Dias was a Portuguese explorer who discovered the island of Madagascar in 1500. He was on a voyage to India when he was blown off course by a storm. He landed in Madagascar and claimed it for Portugal.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa was a Spanish explorer who discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513. He crossed the Isthmus of Panama and became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean.

Henry Hudson was an English explorer who discovered the Hudson Bay in 1610. He was searching for a Northwest Passage to Asia when he entered Hudson Bay. He explored the bay and reached the southern shore of Baffin Island.

João de Santarém was a Portuguese explorer who discovered the island of São Tomé in 1471. He was on a voyage to find a sea route to India when he discovered the island.