Early Explorers

  • Leif Erickson: sponsored by the country of Scandinavia
    1000

    Leif Erickson: sponsored by the country of Scandinavia

    He is the first European to land in North America.He landed on what is present day Canada.
  • Bartolomeu Dias: sponsored by the country of Portugal
    1488

    Bartolomeu Dias: sponsored by the country of Portugal

    Sailed southward from Portugal and made it around the south tip of Africa. He names the southern tip of Africa "The Cape of Good Hope".
  • Pedro Alvarez Cabral: sponsored by the country of Portugal
    1488

    Pedro Alvarez Cabral: sponsored by the country of Portugal

    He is known for landing in The country of Brazil in South America.He starts a settlement there for Portugal.
  • Christopher Columbus: was sponsored by the country of Spain.
    1492

    Christopher Columbus: was sponsored by the country of Spain.

    Christopher Columbus went to find a quicker route to India by sailing through the Atlantic ocean.
  • Vasco de Gama was sponsored by the country of Portugal
    1497

    Vasco de Gama was sponsored by the country of Portugal

    Sailed around the south tip of Africa. Found a sea route to Asia
  • John Cabot was sponsored by the country of Italy
    1497

    John Cabot was sponsored by the country of Italy

    John Cabot was sent from Italy to find a northern sea route to Asia, and later landed on the coast of present day Newfoundland
  • Juan Ponce de Leon Wanted to stay young forever.
    1513

    Juan Ponce de Leon Wanted to stay young forever.

    He led the first landing on the east coast of present day Florida to find gold and the fountain of youth.
  • Hernan Cortes: A Spanish conquistador.
    1519

    Hernan Cortes: A Spanish conquistador.

    Conquered the Aztec tribe and claimed its wealth for him and Spain.
  • Francisco Pizarro: A Spanish conquistador
    1521

    Francisco Pizarro: A Spanish conquistador

    He conquered the Inca empire and split the wealth between him and Spain.
  • Giovanni de Verrazano
    1524

    Giovanni de Verrazano

    Was sent from Nova Scotia to find a northern route to Asia, and explored the coast of the Carolinas.
  • Jacques Cartier
    1535

    Jacques Cartier

    Sailed the St. Lawrence river to try to get to the Pacific ocean. He didn't get to the Pacific, but did find and name Mont Royal.