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Phoenicians were the first to build ships and set sail. This way, they could travel and trade much easier.
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Pythias made several voyages around Europe. He also predicted Atlantic tides based on the moon.
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Calculated, although incorrectly, the circumference of the earth and invented latitude/longitude lines.
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Vikings were primarily raiders who traveled by sea and traded with norther continents. Most of viking life was based around seafaring.
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The Chinese built complex ships that could maneuver easily. They were also the first to invest compasses, then the first to use them for ocean navigation.
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Set out to find a way around the world to Asia, but ended up landing in the Caribbeans. Because of this, he is credited with discovering the Americas.
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Took many expeditions, credited for discovering new lands and carved out trade routed to Africa and India.
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Discovered South America in the name of Spain, leading to further exploration and conquest in the area.
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Created new routed to Africa, and became the first Englishman to circumnavigate the earth.
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Devoted to Oceanography, Cook helped to invent the chronometer and traveled to every continent minus Antarctica.
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Led several scientific expeditions, including finding a route to Antarctica.
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Oceanographer who, on the HMS Beagle, studied ocean life. Specifically coral reefs. Also sailed to many new islands.
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Devoted to marine sciences, the Challenger had many expeditions, helping to discover around 4,700 new marine species.
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To make sailing faster and more efficient, he helped predict wind patters out at sea.