Articles about explorers and conquistadors including facts and their accomplishments.
Christopher Columbus (1451 – 1506) was an Italian explorer, navigator and colonist who played a key role in shaping the history of the world as it was his voyages that initiated widespread contact between the Old World, i.e. Africa, Asia and Europe; and the New World, i.e. the Americas. Columbus was born in the Republic … Read more
In 1803, the United States carried out the Louisiana Purchase in which it bought 2.14 million square kilometers of land. Led by Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark, the Lewis and Clark Expedition mapped the newly acquired Louisiana territory. One of the primary objectives of the expedition was to find a water route … Read more
Henry Hudson was an English explorer who was one of the most influential and renowned figures of the Age of Discovery, a term used to refer to extensive European overseas exploration from the end of the 15th century to the 18th century. Hudson undertook four voyages in early 16th century to find a short northerly … Read more
Ferdinand Magellan (1480 – 1521) was a Portuguese explorer who is famous for leading the first circumnavigation of the earth till it reached Philippines. Though Magellan died before the circumnavigation could be complete, he created history by becoming the first person to reach Asia by sailing west from Europe, thus discovering the westward route to … Read more
Ferdinand Magellan (Fernão de Magalhães in Portuguese and Fernando de Magallanes in Spanish) was a Portuguese explorer who is famous for co-leading the first circumnavigation of the earth. Magellan spent his early career in Asia where he fought several battles for his native country. However, after he fell out of favour with King Manuel I … Read more
Sir Francis Drake was an English explorer who is most famous for his circumnavigation of the earth which made him the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe in a single expedition. He paved the way for future exploration and conquests of the British Empire and is one of the most renowned sea captains in the … Read more
Beginning his sea career as a pirate and slave trader, Francis Drake rose to prominence with tussles against the Spanish in the Americas. He was authorized by Queen Elizabeth I to carry out expeditions to raid Spanish treasure ships in the New World and one such expedition led to Sir Francis Drake becoming the first … Read more
Vasco Nunez De Balboa was a Spanish explorer and conquistador most famous for founding Santa Maria la Antigua del Darien, the first permanent European settlement in mainland of the Americas; and for his discovery of the Pacific. He also served as governor of Darien for a period and was given the title of Adelantado of … Read more
Hernando de Soto was a 16th century Spanish explorer and conquistador who is famous for being the first person to lead an expedition deep into the territory of United States and discovering several areas which hadn’t been yet explored by Europeans. Know more about the role of Hernando de Soto in the conquest of Peru; … Read more
Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer who made at least two voyages to the New World and was the first to recognize the Americas as distinct continents and not part of Asia. He is most famous for being the person on whose name the Americas were named. Know about the life, voyages, contributions and achievements … Read more