Explore the Lessons
Vasco da Gama: A Portuguese Explorer’s Biography
The fearless explorer who opened the sea route to India and changed history forever.
Ferdinand Magellan: A Navigator’s Biography
The fearless explorer who led the first circumnavigation of the globe.
Amerigo Vespucci: The Journey of a Renowned Explorer
Amerigo Vespucci: The explorer who gave America its name and changed world geography.
Hernán Cortés: Conquistador Extraordinaire
The fearless conquistador who toppled the Aztec empire and shaped history.
Francisco Pizarro: Conquistador Extraordinaire
The fearless conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire with cunning and perseverance.
John Cabot: The Navigator’s Biography
"John Cabot: The adventurous explorer who discovered North America's riches."
Christopher Columbus: A Pioneer Navigator’s Biography
The daring explorer who discovered the New World and changed history forever.
Sir Francis Drake: A Legendary Navigator’s Biography
The fearless explorer who circumnavigated the globe and defeated the Spanish Armada.
Captain James Cook: A Legendary Explorer’s Biography
James Cook: The fearless explorer who charted unknown lands and expanded knowledge of the world.
Henry Hudson: A Legendary Explorer’s Biography
The fearless explorer who sought the Northwest Passage and discovered Hudson Bay.
Juan Ponce de León: A Spanish Explorer’s Biography
The explorer who searched for the Fountain of Youth and discovered Florida.
Pedro Álvares Cabral: A Portuguese Explorer’s Biography
The explorer who discovered Brazil and opened up a new world.
Jacques Cartier: The French Explorer’s Biography
The French explorer who claimed Canada for the crown and mapped the St. Lawrence River.
Samuel de Champlain: A Pioneer’s Biography
The fearless explorer who founded Quebec City and mapped the Great Lakes.
Bartolomeu Dias: A Pioneer in Exploration
Bartolomeu Dias: The fearless explorer who discovered the Cape of Good Hope.
Timeline
Marco Polo returns to Venice after his travels to the East
Christopher Columbus sets sail on his first voyage to the Americas
Vasco da Gama reaches India, opening up a sea route to the East
Ferdinand Magellan begins his circumnavigation of the globe
The surviving ship of Magellan's expedition completes the first circumnavigation of the Earth
Jacques Cartier explores the St. Lawrence River in Canada
Sir Francis Drake sets out on his voyage around the world
Sir Francis Drake returns to England after his successful circumnavigation
Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz reaches the Arctic
Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon makes the first recorded European landing in Australia
Henry Hudson explores the Hudson River and Hudson Bay in North America
Dutch explorer Hendrik Brouwer discovers the Brouwer Route around the southern tip of South America
Abel Tasman discovers Tasmania and New Zealand
Russian explorer Vitus Bering discovers the Bering Strait
Vitus Bering explores the coast of Alaska
Vitus Bering dies during an expedition to North America
James Cook begins his first voyage to the Pacific
James Cook is killed in Hawaii during his third voyage
Arthur Phillip leads the First Fleet to establish a British colony in Australia
George Vancouver explores the Pacific Northwest coast of North America
Alessandro Malaspina embarks on a scientific expedition to the Pacific