Explorers

Table of contents
Spain England
1. Christopher Columbus 1. John Cabot
2. Hernán Cortés 2. Sir Francis Drake
3. Francisco Pizarro 3. Sir Walter Raleigh
4. Juan Ponce de León 4. Henry Hudson
5. Ferdinand Magellan 5. James Cook

Portugal France
1. Prince Henry 1. Jacques Cartier
2. Bartolomeu Dias 2. Samuel de Champlain
3. Vasco da Gama 3. René-Robert Cavelier
4. Pedro Álvares Cabral 4. de Bienville
5. Diogo Cão 5. Giovanni da Verrazzano
Christopher Columbus
Columbus was one of the greatest men to ever
live, it was he who began the European
Colonization of the Americas. While it is now
known that the vikings landed in the Americas
first they also didn't do anything with it, it was
Columbus who began the spread of
Christianity to the new world with his voyage in
1492. Without Columbus none of us would be
standing here today, Columbus is unfairly
attacked now and judged by our modern
standards, but to quote Michael Knowles “we
are ants standing on the shoulders of that
great man and we spit down on him in our
ingratitude how pathetic”
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés was another one of the greatest
men to ever live, it was Cortés who brought an
end to the savage child sacrificing aztec empire.
Cortés was also smart about the way he did it, he
allied with several native tribes that the aztecs
had previously oppressed. Cortés also burned his
ships to make sure his men couldn't flee back to
Spain. Cortés almost completely wiped out the
backwards savage aztecs.
Francisco Pizarro
Francisco Pizarro is the 2nd most famous
Spanish Conquistador after Cortez, it was
Pizarro who conquered the Inca America in what
is today Peru. his conquest helped solidify
Spain's control over South America, and thus
helped spread the good word of Jesus Christ to
the savage land.
Juan Ponce de León
Juan Ponce de León was a Spanish explorer,
famous for exploring Florida, he was in Florida to
search for the legendary fountain of youth, which
he never found. Ponce de León was also with
Columbus during his second voyage to the new
world. Ponce de León’s last voyage to Florida
was in 1521, he organized a colonizing
expedition with around 200 men including priests.
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan Although Portuguese born
sailed for Spain. Magellan is best known for
being the first person to circumvent the world
(almost). Magellan made it to around the
philippines but was killed, only 8 of his 237 men
would return to Spain. Even though he himself
died it was still his voyage and he is still very
noteworthy.
Prince Henry the Navigator
Prince Henry the Navigator was a Portuguese
Prince, the fourth son of King John I. Prince
Henry funded several voyages around the cape
of Africa, of course he was royalty so couldn't
join any of them but him financing these voyages
is still very important to history. He also
established the first navigational school.
Bartolomeu Dias
Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese
explorer. He is most notable for being the
first to go around the horn of Africa. He is
also notable for being the first to
demonstrate that the most effective
southward route for ships lies in the open
ocean.
Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama was a portuguese explorer. He is
most famous for being the first European to reach
India by ocean, there were others who made it to
India or really close by land, such as Marco Polo
and even Alexander the great but Da Gama is the
first to do it by sea. Because of Da Gama Portugal
had unchallenged access to the spice trade.
Pedro Álvares Cabral
Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese explorer.
Cabral is most notable for being the first European to
discover what is today Brazil. Cabral is the only
reason Portugal for a foothold in new world at all,
since Spain got most of the rest of South America.
Brazil ended up being very important for Portugal, it
even briefly became the Capital when Napoleon took
over the country.
Diogo Cão
Diogo Cão was a portuguese explorer. He is famous
for exploring the west coast of Africa, and for
exploring the Congo river. Diogo Cão was the first
European to discover the Congo river, which would
become very important for trade.
John Cabot
Giovanni Caboto known in English as John Cabot
was an Italian born explorer who sailed for
England. Cabot is sailed under the orders of King
Henry VII, he is known for discovering what is
today Newfoundland, and for sailing around parts
of what is today Canada.
Sir Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake was an English explorer and
privateer. Drake is best known for being the
second man to circumnavigate the globe, and for
being the first to actually finish his voyage since
Magellan died before he could finish his. Drake’s
voyages were sponsored by Queen Elizabeth I.
Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh was an English statesman,
soldier, writer and explorer, and one of the
most notable men of the Elizabethan era. He is
known for his attempt to establish an English
Colony at Roanoke but that attempt failed. The
Capital of the State of North Carolina is also
named after him. He was a favorite of Queen
Elizabeth I, but was executed after James I
became King
Henry Hudson
Henry Hudson was an English Navigator and
Explorer. Hudson was best known for
exploiting parts of what are today Canada and
the North Eastern United states. He also
discovered the Hudson Bay which is today
named after him.
James Cook
Captain James Cook was a British explorer,
cartographer, and naval officer. He is best
known for discovering Australia and New
Zealand. He discovered plenty of smaller
islands to, including what is today the state of
Hawaii. Cook also served in the 7 years war.
Jacques Cartier
Jacques Cartier was a french explorer and
Cartographer from Brittany. Cartier was the first
European to describe and map the Gulf of Saint
Lawrence and the shores of the Saint Lawrence
river.
Samuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain was a French explorer,
navigator, cartographer, draftsman, soldier,
geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and
chronicler. He made between 21 and 29
journeys across the Atlantic ocean. He is best
known for founding the City of Quebec and for
establishing the Colony of New France.
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle was a
French Explorer and fur trader. He is best known
for exploiting the Mississippi river and claiming it for
France, and for naming the region Louisiana
(Louis’s land) after King Louis XIV. Sieur de La
Salle is a French title roughly translating to "Lord of
the manor of La Salle."
Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville
Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville also known
as Sieur de Bienville was a French Colonial
Administrator born in New France in the City of
Montreal. He served as the Governor of French
Louisiana. de Bienville is best known for
establishing the City of New Orleans, the largest
most important city in the state of Louisiana and a
key trading port.
Giovanni da Verrazzano
Giovanni da Verrazzano was an Florentine
Born explorer was sailed in service of French
King Francis I. He is most famous for being
the first European to explore the Atlantic coast
of North America between Florida and New
Brunswick in 1524, including New York Bay
and Narragansett Bay.