Early explorers

Leiv Eriksson sailed for the Vikings

Oct 9, 1001

He was with the vikings for sailing to America. He was the first one to discover the Americas. Raided countries in Europe Creating large trading networks. In 1000 Leif Eriksson was blown off course by a storm. Landed on the coast of N. America. Landed on the Labrador Peninsula in present-day Canada.

Henry the Navigator sailed for Portugal

Mar 22, 1444

Founded a school for sailors. Studied navigation, map-making, shipbuilding, and astronomy. Spent lots of $$$ on school and expeditions exploring the coast of Africa.

Bartolomeu Dias sailed for Portugal

Oct 10, 1486

Led an expedition to sail around the southern tip of Africa in the hope of finding a trade route to India. Just a few months after dispatching the overland explorers, Portugal sponsored Dias in an African expedition.

Christopher Columbus sailed for Spain

Aug 3, 1492

Tried to reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic, landed in the Americas but believed he had reached Asia. (Even when he died in 1506.) He made 4 trips across the Atlantic. He brought new animals, foods, and diseases to Europe.

Amerigo Vespucci sailed for the Spanish flag.

May 10, 1497

He made a few voyages to explore the new world on his first voyage he went form Central America to the golf of St.Laurence. On his next voyages he explored the coast of South America. His voyages lead to maps of the new world which lead to the Europeans to understand the world around them.

Vasco da Gama sailed for the Portuguese

Jun 8, 1497

In 1497, sailed all around Africa and all the way to India. Winning the European race for a sea route to Asia.

John Cabot sailed for the English

Jun 24, 1497

Searched for a passage to the Pacific Ocean. Tried to fin a shorter route to Asia than Columbus.

Juan Ponce de Leon sailed for Spain

Mar 1, 1513

Explored present-day Florida in 1513, looking for the “Fountain of Youth”. He never found the "Fountain of Youth" but he mapped out Florida. He went back to colonize it but was attacked by Indians.

Vasco Nunez de Balbo sailed for Spain

Sep 1, 1513

Balboa led an expedition from Darién to search for a new sea reportedly to the south and for gold. He hoped that if he was successful, he would win the favor of Ferdinand, the king of Spain. He didn't find the gold though.

Hernando Corte's sailed for Spain

Feb 18, 1519

Explored Mexico in 1519. Conquered the Aztecs with Technology, animals, and diseases. He had 11 ships and 508 men and 16 horses that sailed with him. He landed at Tabasco where he stayed for some time.

Ferdinand Magellan sailed for Spain

Sep 20, 1519

Magellan set sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific.

Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca sailed for Spain

Jun 17, 1527

Accompanied by Estevanico (a slave) and others, explored the North American Southwest looking for the 7 Cities of Gold. They had a fleet of 5 vessels and he was promised a lot of money if he succeeded.

Francisco Pizarro sailed for Spain

Jan 6, 1531

A conquistador who explored the Andes Mountains of South America and conquered the Inca Empire. He brought 180 men with him and 37 horses.

Jacques Cartier sailed for France

Jun 9, 1534

Sailed down the Saint Lawrence river to claim land for France. Claimed half the Americas by saying a couple words.

Hernando de Soto sailed for Cuba

May 18, 1539

Explored Florida and North Carolina discovered the Mississippi River. Landed on present day Tampa Bay. He took 600 men with him and numerous horses, dogs, and pigs.

Juan Rodriguez sailed for Spain

Jun 27, 1542

He mapped the West Coast of the Americas and up to Canada. The expedition he led was the first European to explore the west coast of the Americas.

Francisco Vasquez de Coronado sailed for spain

Sep 22, 1554

In North American Southwest, looking for the cities of gold, discovered the Grand Canyon (in AZ). Led an expedition through the Southwestern United States between 1540 and 1542.

Samuel de Champlain sailed for France

Mar 15, 1603

Samuel de Champlain began exploring North America in 1603.
Establishing the city of Quebec in the northern colony of New France, and mapping the Atlantic coast and the Great Lakes.

Henry Hudson sailed for the Dutch

Nov 3, 1609

His third and fourth voyages where to North America where he discovered and sailed the Hudson river, Hudson strait, and the Hudson bay

Henry Hudson

Jun 22, 1611

He sailed to Present day New York where his crew kicked him off.

Rene-Robert De La Salle sailed for the French

Jul 24, 1684

He was sent by King Louis XIV to travel south from Canada and sail down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. He was the first European to travel the length of the Mississippi River.