-
1000
Leif Eriksson
Explored lands west of Greenland -
1488
Bartolomeu Dias
Discovered the southern tip of Africa and called it "the Cape of Good Hope"... sponsored by the county of Portugal -
1492
Christopher Columbus
sailed for spain, made four trips across atlantic, tried to get to Asia but discovered Americas in stead -
1497
Vasco da Gama
Sailed around Africa and to India...won the European race for route to Asia -
1497
Pedro Alvarez Cabral: sponsored by the country of Porugal
Found the country of Brazil and claimed it for Portugal -
1497
John Cabot
Was Italian, sent to look for a sea route to Asia, Most likely landed on the coast of present-day Newfoundland -
1499
Amerigo Vespucci
Led voyage funded by Spain, explored coast of south america -
1513
Vasco Nunez de Balboa: sponsored by the country of Portugal
Balboa discovered water (ocean)and claimed it for Spain. -
1513
Juan Ponce de Leon
Searched for gold and fountain of youth.Made first Spanish landing on the east coast of Florida -
1519
Francisco Pizzaro
led an army into the Inca Empire and ruled it -
1519
Hernan Cortes: sponsored by Spain
Explored Mexico and conquered the Aztec -
1520
Ferdinand Magellen
Found a "calm ocean" and named it pacifico, reached southern tip of south america -
1524
Giovanni da Varrazano
"Explored coast of North America from present day Nova Scotia down to the Carolinas." -
1528
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Was apart of a Spanish expedition that went to Florida -
1535
Jacques Cartier
Discovered a mountain-peak and named it Mount-Royale. -
1540
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
Discovered the Grand Canyon. Traveled through Mexico -
1541
Hernando de Soto
Led the Spanish expedition to Florida -
1542
Juan Cabrillo
First one to sight present day California -
Henry Hudson
Discovered Hudson river and Hudson Bay. -
Henry Hudson
sailed north of the hudson river to present day alabany new york -
Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette
"Traveled Mississippi river by canoe."
