Cook also became the first European in recorded history to make contact with the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. The mission, which was bankrolled by England’s Royal Society, saw Captain Cook sail into the uncharted parts of the Pacific, covering several thousands of miles. In 1768, Cook was appointed commander of the HM Bark Endeavour intended for the first scientific expedition to the Pacific Ocean. His superiors and admirals noticed Cook’s abilities in navigation and creating and reading of maps. When the Seven Years War (1756-1763) broke out, Cook enlisted and distinguished himself very brilliantly he famously lead his crew to capture an enemy ship for the British Royal Navy. By the age of 29, he had been promoted to ship master in the navy. Gradually, he learnt the ropes and made it into the British merchant navy in 1755. The naval captain, navigator and explorer attained very important feats in his lifetime, making him an influential figure in Europe’s exploration age.īest known for exploring the South Pacific Ocean, James Cook had a knack for cartography (map making and usage) and began his career as an apprentice for merchant seamen. Captain James Cookīorn on Octoin Marton, England, Captain James Cook is considered by many as the most eminent explorer to come from England. Thinking his discoveries were on a new continent, he called South America the New World. Amerigo would go on to discover present-day Rio de Janeiro and Rio de la Plata.

He then left his commander and sailed to the Brazilian coast. Under the command of Alonzo de Ojeda, Amerigo served as a navigator on a voyage that saw them cross the equator and make their way to the coast of Guyana. His first voyage came on May 10, 1497, when he sailed from Candiz with a well-stocked fleet of Spanish ships. Augustine, Amerigo Vespucci was without question one of the greatest explorers from Europe. Widely claimed as the first European to discover the Amazon River and Cape St.

The name was derived from the Florentine-born navigator and explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Amerigo VespucciĮver wonder where the name “America” came from? Well, wonder no more. On the flip side, some of their discoveries opened the door wide open for unspeakable miseries to be inflicted on the people by the explorers, or at worse the complete decimation of the indigenous people.įrom Captain James Cook to the Tangier-born explorer Ibn Battuta, present 10 most renowned explorers and travelers of all time. Often times, those explorations and adventures into the unknown accrued immense benefits to not just the brave explorers but the entire society. Since the dawn of time, human beings have always been very curious of the world around them.

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