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Aug 12, 1492
Columbus discovers America
The explorer Christopher Columbus made four trips across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain: in 1492, 1493, 1498 and 1502. He was determined to find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he stumbled upon the Americas. Though he did not “discover” the so-called New World—millions of people already lived there—his journeys marked the beginning of centuries of exploration and colonization of North and South America. -
May 20, 1498
Vasco da Gama reaches India
Da Gama’s voyage linked east and west by sea for the first time. It also signaled the beginning of European colonization in Asia and the end of Muslim dominance of the spice trade. At the time Da Gama reached India, India was strong and wealthy, far beyond European standards. But over the centuries India declined as Europe gained strength. -
1513
Jorge Alvarez reaches China
Alvarez sailed for Portugal. He started on Malacca which by this time was a Portuguese outpost and trading center. His ships reached land in China, but trade relations would not be established until the second expedition later that year by another explorer. -
1513
Jacques Cartier explores eastern Canada
Sailing for France, Cartier was sent to more of the New World in the north, far from Spanish claims, and if possible find a route to Asia. He mapped the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, made friendly contact with the natives, and maned the land he found “The Country of the Canadas” which he mistakenly thought was what the natives called themselves. He eventually made three voyages to Canada and discovered the Saint Lawerence River. -
1543
António Mota Reaches Japan
António Mota was swept off course by a storm and accidentally landed in Japan. Later that same year Fernão Mendes Pinto sailed to Japan on purpose and established trade relations. -
1576
Martin Frobisher explores Northern Canada
Frobisher set sail for England in search of a northwest passage to Asia. Although he never found the route, he did discover Frobisher Bay and Baffin Island. He returned to England with 200 tons of worthless rock, mistakenly believing it was gold ore. Additionally, he was an English privateer and had greater success plundering treasure from the French. -
Willem Janszoon discovers Australia
Janszoon was on an expedition for the Dutch East India Company to find new islands and trade opportunities in the East Indies. He sailed past New Guinea and landed in Queensland, mistakenly believing it was a southern extension of New Guinea. Thirteen years later, he returned to explore the western coast of Australia, thinking he had discovered a new island, unaware that it was part of the same continent. -
Able Tasman discovered Tasmania and New Zealand
Tasmania: On November 24,1642, Tasman sighted the mountains of the southern Tasmania and named it Van Diemen’s Land after the Dutch governor general o the East Indies, Anthony Van Diemen. The island was later renamed after the Tasman. New Zealand: Tasman was the first European to discover the west coast of New Zealand, which the named Staten Landt. He later remained it Nieuw Zeeland after the Dutch province of Zeeland.