Age of exploration

By Anna vassar
  • 1341

    Portuguese Exploration of the Canary Islands

    Portuguese Exploration of the Canary Islands
    Portuguese sailors embarked on a voyage to explore the Canary Islands, marking the beginning of interest in Atlantic expansion and eventual slave trading.
  • Period: 1341 to

    Age of exploration

  • 1419

    Madeira Islands

    Madeira Islands
    Prince Henry the Navigator sponsors exploration leading to the discovery of Madeira, an important step in Atlantic exploration.
  • 1488

    Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope

    Bartolomeu Dias Rounds the Cape of Good Hope
    Dias becomes the first European to navigate around Africa’s southern tip, opening the route to Asia.
  • 1492

    Columbus Lands in the Caribbean

    Columbus Lands in the Caribbean
    Christopher Columbus, funded by Spain, reaches the Americas, believing he found a new route to Asia.
  • 1497

    John Cabot Sails to North America

    John Cabot Sails to North America
    Cabot sailed for England to the Newfoundland claiming it for Englands possession.
  • 1498

    Vasco da Gama Reaches India

    Vasco da Gama Reaches India
    Da Gama successfully sails to India, establishing Portugal’s dominance in Indian Ocean trade.
  • 1513

    Vasco Núñez de Balboa Sees the Pacific Ocean

    Vasco Núñez de Balboa Sees the Pacific Ocean
    Balboa becomes the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean from the New World, proving its vastness.
  • 1519

    Magellan’s Circumnavigation of the Globe

    Magellan’s Circumnavigation of the Globe
    Ferdinand Magellan’s fleet completes the first journey around the world, proving the Earth’s full circumference.
  • 1533

    Pizarro Conquers the Inca Empire

    Pizarro Conquers the Inca Empire
    Francisco Pizarro leads Spanish forces in the conquest of the Incas, securing vast wealth for Spain.
  • 1534

    Jacques Cartier Explores Canada

    Jacques Cartier Explores Canada
    Cartier claims the St. Lawrence River area for France, laying the foundation for French colonization.

  • Roanoke Colony Established

    Roanoke Colony Established
    England’s first attempt at a North American settlement fails, becoming the “Lost Colony.”

  • Jamestown Founded

    Jamestown Founded
    The first permanent English colony in North America was established in Virginia

  • Samuel de Champlain Founds Quebec

    Samuel de Champlain Founds Quebec
    Champlain establishes Quebec City, strengthening France’s presence in North America.

  • The Expedition of Henry Hudson

    The Expedition of Henry Hudson
    Henry Hudson explored under the Dutch flag and later under French interests in the early 17th century. His voyages led him to the Hudson River, where he mapped the area and made contact with Indigenous peoples.

  • Pilgrims Arrive on the Mayflower

    Pilgrims Arrive on the Mayflower
    The Pilgrims settle in Plymouth, laying the foundation for future English colonization.

  • The founding of montreal

    The founding of montreal
    Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve and a group of French settlers founded Montreal as a mission and trading post.