-
1000
Leif Eriksson
He was a Viking sailor who left Scandinavia and landed in present day Canada. He was the first European in North America. -
1488
Bartolomeu Dias
Discovered the tip of Africa; and named it the "Capes of Good Hope". He was sponsored by Portugal. -
1492
Christopher Columbus
He tried to reach Asia by sailing west across the Atlantic, but he landed in the Americas. He was sponsored by Spain. -
1497
John Cabot
He looked for a passage to the Pacific Ocean. -
1497
Vasco da Gama
He found a sea route to Asia and sailed along the coast of Africa, all the way to India. He was sponsored by Portugal. -
1499
Amerigo Vespucci
He explored the east coast of Africa. He was funded by Spain. -
1500
Pedro Alvares Cabral
He continued da Gama's route. He also claimed Brazil for his King. -
1513
Vasco Nunez de Balboa
He heard about the "great waters" beyond the mountains of Panama. He hiked through rain forests to find them. -
1513
Juan Ponce de Leon
He explored present day Florida while he was looking for the "Fountain of Youth". He was sponsored by Spain. -
1519
Hernando Cortez
Conquered the Aztec and explored Mexico. He was sponsored by Spain. -
1520
Ferdinand Magellan
Sailing for Spain, He reached the Southernmost tip of South America. -
1520
Giovanni de Varrazano
Sent to explore the East coast of North America for a passage to the Pacific. -
1524
Francisco Pizarro
He explored the Andes Mountains in South America and conquered the Inca Empire. He was sponsored by Spain. -
1528
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
He explored Northwest part of North America with a slave named Estevanico. He was sponsored by Spain. -
1535
Jacques Cartier
Sailed down the Saint Lawrence river to present day Montreal. -
1539
Hernando de Soto
He explored to Florida and North Carolina. He was sponsored by Spain. -
1540
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
He Discovered The Grand Canyon in present day Arizona. He was sponsored by Spain. -
1542
Bartolome de Las Casas
He was a Spanish priest. His reports convinced Spanish leaders to pass the New Laws. -
1542
Juan Cabrillo
He explored present day California. -
Juan de Onate
He traveled up from Mexico and founded the Province of New Mexico. -
Henry Hudson
Led a dutch expedition to present day New York. -
Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette
Were fur traders, they traveled down the Mississippi river by canoe. -
Robert Cavelier de La Salle
Followed the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.
