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History
Who were the famous explorers of the Age of Exploration?
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The Age of Exploration, which spanned from the 15th to the 17th centuries, saw numerous famous explorers who embarked on voyages of discovery and significantly expanded geographical knowledge. Some of the notable explorers from this era include:
Christopher Columbus (1451-1506): An Italian explorer commissioned by Spain, Columbus is renowned for his transatlantic voyage in 1492, which led to the European exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Vasco da Gama (1460-1524): A Portuguese explorer, da Gama was the first to sail from Europe to India by circumnavigating Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. His voyage opened up a direct sea route between Europe and Asia.
Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521): A Portuguese explorer sailing under the Spanish flag, Magellan led the first circumnavigation of the globe. Although he died during the voyage, his crew completed the expedition, proving that the Earth was round.
Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512): An Italian explorer and cartographer, Vespucci played a crucial role in understanding the New World. The name “America” is derived from his first name.
Henry Hudson (1565-1611): An English navigator, Hudson explored areas in North America, including the Hudson River and Hudson Bay. His voyages laid the groundwork for English colonization in the region.
James Cook (1728-1779): A British explorer and navigator, Cook undertook three major voyages across the Pacific Ocean. He charted numerous islands and made significant contributions to mapping the region.
Hernán Cortés (1485-1547): A Spanish conquistador, Cortés led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico.
Francisco Pizarro (1471-1541): A Spanish conquistador, Pizarro conquered the Inca Empire in present-day Peru.
These are just a few examples of the famous explorers of the Age of Exploration, and many others made significant contributions to the understanding of the world during that time.