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Portuguese explorers, led by João Gonçalves Zarco, discover the Madeira Islands, marking the beginning of Portugal's exploration of the Atlantic. -
Dias becomes the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, opening the sea route to Asia. -
Columbus, sponsored by Spain, makes his first voyage across the Atlantic, landing in the Bahamas and opening the Americas to European exploration. -
Cabot sails from England to North America, landing on the coast of Newfoundland and claiming land for England. -
Da Gama sails to India, landing in Calicut and establishing a sea route that would facilitate trade between Europe and Asia. -
Cabral lands on the coast of Brazil, claiming it for Portugal and expanding its territories in the New World -
Ponce de León becomes the first European to set foot on Florida, claiming it for Spain. -
Magellan leads the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, proving the vastness of the Earth and the interconnectedness of the oceans.
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Verrazzano, sailing for France, explores the Atlantic coast of North America, including New York Harbor. -
Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captures the Inca emperor Atahualpa, leading to the fall of the Inca Empire and significant Spanish colonization in South America. -
Cartier sails up the St. Lawrence River, claiming parts of Canada for France and establishing French interest in North America. -
Drake becomes the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, enhancing England's maritime reputation and wealth.
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The first permanent English settlement in North America is established in Virginia, marking the beginning of English colonization in the New World -
Samuel de Champlain establishes Quebec City, becoming the first permanent French settlement in North America. -
Hudson explores the northeastern coast of North America and discovers Hudson Bay, paving the way for future English claims in Canada. -
This company is established to promote trade and colonization in the Caribbean, marking France's growing interest in overseas expansion.