Exploration Timeline

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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to Jan 1, 1700

Prince Henry (the Navigator)

Jan 1, 1419

Exploration began with the help of Henry. Subsidized sailors, mapmakers, astronomers, shipbuilders and instrument makers (who were all interested in discovering new lands). Men came from Italy, Germany, Scandinavia, Arabia, and Jewish and Muslim communities to explore for Henry. All united in their desire to find a way around Africa to India.

Bartolomeu Dias

Oct 10, 1486

Started his exploration for Portugal to open a sea route from Europe to India. Discovered the Cape of Good Hope.

Martin Behaim

Jan 1, 1490

Made the first/earliest globe called the "Nürnberg Terrestrial Globe".

Christopher Columbus

Aug 3, 1492

Started his exploration for Spain across the Atlantic Ocean hoping to find a trade route (for spice trace) to India. Officially founded the New World (North America).

John Cabot

May 2, 1497

Started his exploration for England believing that Asia could be reached by sailing west. Became the first European explorer to explore the mainland of North America (Canada/United States). Made the first recorded attempt to find the Northwest Passage (only found ice-crusted waters).

Amerigo Vespucci

May 10, 1497

Started his first of many explorations. Was the first person to realize that the Americas were separate from the continent of Asia. America was named after him in 1507.

Vasco da Gama

Jul 8, 1497

Started his exploration for Portugal, trying to get from Portugal to India which was assumed to be impossible because many thought that the Indian Ocean was not connected to any other sea.

Age Of Exploration

Jan 1, 1500

Mid-late 1500s, this time period was an age filled with ships and sailors ready for new adventures and promises in the New World.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Jan 1, 1510

Started his exploration for Spain, after hearing of Columbus's discovery. Become the first European explorer to have seen or reached the Pacific Ocean.

Ferdinand Magellan and Elcano

Sep 20, 1519

Started their exploration for Spain, in search of a westward route to the Spice Islands. Magellan became the first European to lead an expedition across the Pacific Ocean and the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the Earth. El Cano accompanied him, and later took over captianship after Magellan's death in the Philippines. Both proved the Earth was infact round.

Jacques Cartier

Apr 20, 1534

Started his exporation for France, hoping to discover a western passage to the wealthy markets of Asia. Claimed what is now Canada.

Gerardus Mercator

Jan 1, 1538

Created and published the first flat world map, known as a Mercator map. Constantly ran into difficulties with new information coming in from the many explorations around the world that were going on during this time.

Cornelis de Houtman

Apr 2, 1595

Started exploration for Germany who discovered a new sea route from Europe to Indonesia and managed to begin the Dutch spice trade.

Henry Hudson

May 1, 1607

Started his exploration for the Kingdom of England to find the Northwest Passage to the Pacific coast of Asia. Founded the Hudson Strait, Hudson Bay, Hudson River.

Louis Joliet

May 17, 1673

Started his exploration for Canada and became the first European to explore and map the Mississippi River.