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1000
Leif Erickson: Sponsored by the country Scandinavia
He is the first European to land in north america. He ends up landing on what is now present day Canada. -
1488
Pedro Alvarez cabal: sponsored by the country portugal
He is known for landing in the country of Brazil in South america. He starts a settlement there for Portugal. -
1488
Bartolomeu Dias: sailed for the country Portugal
Sailed southwest from Portugal and made it around the southern tip of Africa. He names the southern tip of Africa, "The cape of good hope". -
1492
Christopher Columbus: sailed for Spain
He tried to reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic. He landed in the Americas, but believed he had reached Asia (even when he died in 1506). He made 4 trips across the Atlantic. -
1497
John Cabot: Sent by England and is an Italian explorer.
He was looking for the northern sea route to Asia. He probably landed on the coast of present day Newfoundland. -
1497
Vasco da Gama was sponsored by the country Portugal.
Sailed all around Africa and all the way to India. Winning the European race for a sea route to Asia. -
1499
Amerigo Vespucci: Led a voyage funded by Spain
On this journey and a later one for Portugal, He explored the coast of south america. He realized South America was a separate continent, and not part of Asia European. -
1513
Vasco nunraz da balboa: sponsored by Spain.
He is known for landing is present day panama. He is the first European to see the Pacific ocean. -
1513
Juan Ponce De Leon: sponsered by spain
He made the first Spanish landing on the east coast of present day Florida. His exploration led to the first Spanish settlement in what is now the United States,,a fort the Spanish built at St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565. He was not only looking for gold. He was trying to find the legendary fountain of youth. -
1519
Hernan Cortes: Is an explorer for the Spain
Within two years he conquered the Aztec Empire and had ruled the region. He provided Spain with the land of the east coast of present day Mexico. Huge amounts of Aztec gold made him and spain wealthy. -
1520
Ferdinand Magellan: A Portuguese explorer who was sailing for Spain.
He reached the southern most tip of South America. He sailed through the stormy waters of a narrow sea passage, or strait. The strait led him into a calm ocean- the same one as Balboa had seen. He named the ocean the Pacific ocean. He died in the Philippines islands, but his crew continued to sail westward, arriving back in Spain in 1522. His crew was the first people who were know to sail around the world. -
1524
Giovanni de Varrazano: Hired by France and it an Italian explorer.
He had to look for a northern route. He explored the coast of North America from present day Nova Scotia down to the Carolina's. -
1528
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca: sponsored by Spain
accompanied by Evangelistic (a slave) and other, explored the north american southwest looking for 7 cities of gold. He was part of the Spanish expedition. After coming into conflict with native Americans they sailed south toward Mexico in November. -
1531
Francisco Pizarro: sponsored by Spain
He gained control of Inca. He led an army into the Inca capital which is Cuzco, Peru. They arrested and later executed the Inca ruler so that's how he gained control of them. He soon controlled most of the vast and wealthy Inca Empire. -
1535
Jacques Cartier: French explorer
He sailed up the St. Lawrence river, hoping it would led to the Pacific. He did not make it to the Pacific, but he discovered a mountain peek that he named Mount-Royal, which means royal mountain. This is the site of present day Montreal. -
1540
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado: sponsored by Spain
He was searching for the 7 cities of cibola as well. His travels took him through northern Mexico and present day New Mexico and Arizona until his expedition reached a Zuni settlement in 1540. They were finally convinced there was no gold. He also discovered the grand canyon. All they found was windswept plains and strange shaggy cows, which were buffalo. -
1541
Hernando de Soto: sponsored by Spain
He explored Florida and north Carolina and discovered the Mississippi River. He also led an expedition to explore Florida and what is now the southeastern United States. They traveled for three years following the stories of gold. He crossed the Mississippi river in 1541. He died over fever and his men buried him in the waters of Mississippi. -
1542
Juan Cabrillo: sponsored by Spain
He was the first to sight what is now California in 1542. The Spanish had left that area alone for 200 years. -
Henry Hudson: Hired by the Dutch. English sea explorer and navigator
He discovered the river that now bears his name. In his ship, the half moon Hudson sailed north on the Hudson river as far as the site of present day Albany, New York. He decided he had not found the passage to India, so he turned back. Then a year later he got sent back out and he found a bay now called Hudson Bay. He thought he was in the pacific so he spent months trying to finds an outlet. Then his crew sent him, his son and a few other sailors adrift in a small boat. Never to be seen again -
Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette: Two French explorers
Louis is a fur trader and Jacques is a priest. They traveled the Mississippi rive by a canoe. They hoped to find precious metals. They were also looking for a northwest passage. When they realized the Mississippi river flowed south into the Gulf of Mexico rather then west into the Pacific, they headed back up river. -
Robert Cavelier de La Salle: French exploer
He followed the Mississippi all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. He claimed the region for France, calling it Louisiana in honor of Louis XIV.
