Prince Henry the Navigator started a navigation school

Prince Henry the Navigator started a navigation school and paid for sailing expeditions in the Atlantic 1400’s 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. Christopher Columbus 1492

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

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 Portuguese explorer who sailed for Spain. Became the first person to circumnavigate the globe. Discovered the Philippines. Ferdinand Magellan Spanish conquistador who became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from its eastern shore. He gave the ocean its name. Hernando de Cortez 1522

Italian who sailed for France. Explored the Northeast coast of America. Discovered Manhattan Island 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 1532 Spanish conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire in modern day Peru and Ecuador. Francisco Pizarro

Italian who sailed for France. Explored the Northeast coast of America. Discovered Manhattan Island 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 1532 Spanish conquistador who conquered the Incan Empire in modern day Peru and Ecuador. Francisco Pizarro

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 viceadmiral 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. ” Samuel de Champlain Sir Francis Drake 1608

Englishman who sailed for both England 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