Ben Crandall
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Aug 10, 2023 · Celebrated and controversial explorers like Christopher Columbus, Marco Polo, and Ferdinand Magellan made groundbreaking journeys across the globe.
- Marco Polo (1254-1324) A Venetian merchant and adventurer, Marco Polo travelled along the Silk Road from Europe to Asia between 1271 and 1295. Originally invited to the court of Kublai Khan (1215-1294) with his father and uncle, he remained in China for 17 years where the Mongol ruler sent him on fact-finding missions to distant parts of the empire.
- Zheng He (c. 1371-1433) Known as the Three-Jewel Eunuch Admiral, Zheng He was China’s greatest explorer. Commanding the world’s mightiest fleet of 300 ships and as many as 30,000 troops, Admiral Zheng made 7 epic voyages to southeast Asia, south Asia, the Middle East and Africa between 1405 and 1433.
- Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) The Portuguese prince has a legendary status in the early stages of European exploration – despite never having embarked on an exploratory voyage himself.
- Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) Often called the “discoverer” of the New World, Christopher Columbus embarked on 4 voyages across the Atlantic Ocean between 1492 and 1504.
Leif Erikson (c.970–c.1020) was a famous Norse explorer who is credited for being the first European to set foot on American soil. The following is a list of explorers. Their common names, countries of origin (modern and former), centuries when they were active and main areas of exploration are listed below.
- Ferdinand Magellan. To start us off is the Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan, the man behind the first attempt to circumnavigate the globe successfully. He sailed westward in 1519 with a fleet of five ships and over two hundred and seventy men to discover a sea route to the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia.
- Hanno ‘the Navigator’ Around 500 BCE, Hanno, a Carthaginianexplorer, led one of the first documented naval explorations outside the Pillars of Hercules.
- Christopher Columbus. Arguably the most famous explorer in history, Christopher Columbus was the first to sail across unexplored waters to reach the Americas.
- Ibn Battuta. When Ibn Battuta, a young Muslim fromMorocco, set out on a mission in 1325, it turned into a twenty-nine-year journey that took him through much of the eastern hemisphere.
There have been many famous explorers throughout time whose achievements and bravery are worth noting. Their purposeful accomplishments and occasional accidental discoveries have helped to shape the course of history.
Learn about the history of exploration, from the 15th century voyages of Columbus, Magellan and Vasco da Gama to the modern feats of Earhart and Raleigh. Find out about the people, places and events that shaped the world we live in today.
Learn about the world's greatest and most famous explorers, such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco de Gama, Roald Amundsen and Marco Polo. Discover their achievements, voyages and challenges in this list of 10 explorers and more.
