Age of Exploration Timeline

Spain was the first European country to establish a permanent colony in the Americas, with the founding of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic in 1496.

Vasco da Gama was the first European explorer to reach India by sea, arriving in Calicut in 1498.

Ferdinand Magellan is credited with discovering the Pacific Ocean during his circumnavigation of the globe in 1519-1522.

Portugal was the first European country to establish trading posts in Africa, beginning with the establishment of a trading post at Ceuta in 1415.

Ferdinand Magellan was the first European explorer to circumnavigate the globe, completing his journey in 1522.

England was the first European country to establish a permanent colony in North America, with the founding of Jamestown in Virginia in 1607.

Robert Peary was the first European explorer to reach the North Pole, arriving on April 6, 1909.

England was the first European country to establish a permanent colony in Australia, with the founding of Sydney in 1788.

Roald Amundsen was the first European explorer to reach the South Pole, arriving on December 14, 1911.

England was the first European country to establish a permanent colony in New Zealand, with the founding of Wellington in 1840.

Christopher Columbus was the first European explorer to cross the Atlantic Ocean, arriving in the Americas in 1492.

The Netherlands was the first European country to establish a permanent colony in South Africa, with the founding of Cape Town in 1652.

Edmund Hillary was the first European explorer to reach the summit of Mount Everest, along with Tenzing Norgay, on May 29, 1953.

France was the first European country to establish a permanent colony in Canada, with the founding of Quebec City in 1608.

John Speke was the first European explorer to reach the source of the Nile River, at Lake Victoria, in 1858.