-
1000
leaf Ericsson: was sponsored by the country of Scandinavia
was the first European to land on the coast of North America. specifically in what is now present day Canada -
1488
Bartholomew Dias: sailed for the country of portugal
sailed southward down the coast of Africa making it to the southern tip of Africa. he called the southern tip the "cape of good hope" -
1488
Pedro Alvarez Cabral: sponsored by the country of Portugal
He is known for finding the country of Brazil in South America. He starts a settlement there in the name of Portugal. -
1492
Christopher Columbus: sailed the ocean blue
sailed to Spain, made four trips crossed the Atlantic, tried to reach Asia sailing across the Atlantic reached the Americas but thought it was Asia. -
1497
Vasco Da Gama
set sail from Portugal with four ships, headed to Africa. they sailed in a wide arc south, and west of Africa. he made many stops, including one at Mombasa. -
1497
john Cabot
English sent john Cabot, to look for a northern sea route to Asia in 1497. -
1499
Amerigo Vespucci: led a voyage funded by Spain
he explored the coast of south america. Vespucci realized south america was a separate continent and not a part of Asia. so they then named it america after him. -
1513
Juan Ponce de Leon
made the first Spanish landing on east coast present day Florida in 1513. he wasn't just looking for gold he hoped to find the legendary fountain of youth. -
1513
Vasco Nunez de Bolboa: sponsored by the counrty of spain
He is known for sailing to the country of panama and discovering the Pacific Ocean. -
1519
Hernan Cortes
in 1519 Hernan Cortes landed on the east coast of present-day mexico. Hernan Cortes conquers the Aztec Empire and made himself and Spain wealthy. -
1520
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan is a Portuguese explorer who was sailing for Spain, he explored the coast of south america. he sailed through the stormy waters of a narrow sea passage or strait. the strait led to a calm ocean. -
1524
Giovanni de Varrazano
in 1524 France hired another Italian, Giovanni de Varrazano to look for a northern route. -
1528
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
was part of a Spanish expedition to Florida in 1528. after conflict in Florida with the native they sailed south towards mexico in November, three out of five boats where lost in a storm. -
1533
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro led an army into Inca, he won Francisco Pizarro soon controlled most of the wealthy vast Inca Empire. -
1535
Jacques Cartier
in 1535 french explorer Jacques Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence river, hoping it would lead to the Pacific. -
1540
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado traveled through norther mexico and present day Arizona and new mexico, until his expedition reached Zuni settlement in 1540. -
1541
Hernando de Soto
Hernando de Soto crossed the Mississippi river in 1541. after traveling as far west as present day Oklahoma Hernando de Soto died of fever and his men buried him in the waters of Mississippi. -
Juan Cabrillo
Juan Cabrillo traveled up from mexico to establish a Spanish presence in the lands to the north. -
Henry Hudson
in 1609 he discovered the river that now bears his name. Henry Hudson sailed north on the Hudson river as far as Albany New York. -
Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette
in the 1670 Louis Juliet and Jacques Marquette, traveled the Mississippi river in a canoe, hoping to find precious metal. -
Robert Cavelier de La Salle
in 1682 Robert Cavalier de La Sallie followed the Mississippi all the way down to the golf of mexico.
