1400’s 1488 1492 Bartolomeu Dias Christopher Columbus Prince Henry the Navigator started a navigation school and paid for sailing expeditions in the Atlantic Portuguese explorer who discovered a passage around the southern tip of Africa; names the tip the “Cape of Good Hope.” 1488 Bartolomeu Dias Italian who sailed for Spain. He discovered the New World. He believed one could sail west from Europe to reach Asia. 1492 Christopher Columbus

1497 1498 1501 John Cabot Vasco da Gama Amerigo Vespucci Italian who sailed for England. Founded Newfoundland by taking a northern route across the Atlantic. 1497 John Cabot Portuguese explorer who becomes the first to sail directly from Europe to India 1498 Vasco da Gama Italian who sailed for both Spain and Portugal. Explored Central and South America. German map maker named America after him. 1501 Amerigo Vespucci

15 13 1521 1522 Ponce de Leon Vasco de Balboa Hernando de Cortez Spanish conquistador who became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from its eastern shore. He gave the ocean its name. Spanish conquistador who discovered and named Florida. He conquered Puerto Rico, a major city is named after him. 15 13 Ponce de Leon Vasco de Balboa Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztecs in what is now Mexico. 1521 Hernando de Cortez Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain. Became the first person to circumnavigate the globe. Discovered the Philippines. 1522 Ferdinand Magellan

1524 1524 1532 Giovanni da Verrazano Cabeza de Vaca Francisco Pizarro Italian who sailed for France. Explored the Northeast coast of America. Discovered Manhattan Island and New York Bay. 1524 Giovanni da Verrazano Spanish explorer who searched for the mythical city “El Dorado” in the American Southwest, specifically in what is now Texas.   1524 Cabeza de Vaca Spanish conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire in modern day Peru and Ecuador.  1532 Francisco Pizarro

1524 1524 1532 Giovanni da Verrazano Cabeza de Vaca Francisco Pizarro Italian who sailed for France. Explored the Northeast coast of America. Discovered Manhattan Island and New York Bay. 1524 Giovanni da Verrazano Spanish explorer who searched for the mythical city “El Dorado” in the American Southwest, specifically in what is now Texas.   1524 Cabeza de Vaca Spanish conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire in modern day Peru and Ecuador.  1532 Francisco Pizarro

1542 1577 1608 Rodriguez Cabrillo Sir Francis Drake Spanish explorer who became the first European to navigate the coast of present day California. 1542 Rodriguez Cabrillo The first Englishman to sail around the world. As vice-admiral he defeated the Spanish Armada in their attempt to invade England.  1577 French explorer who established the first French settlement in what is now Quebec, Canada. Known as the “Father of Canada.” Sir Francis Drake 1608 Samuel de Champlain

Englishman who sailed for both England and Holland Englishman who sailed for both England and Holland. Searched for a Northwestern route to Asia. Discovered what is now the Hudson Bay.   1609 Henry Hudson English explorer who established England’s first colony in the “New World” on Roanoke Island. 1585