WHAP explorers

Prince Henry the Navigator

Portugal. Credit for starting age of exploration especially for Portugal. Taught sailing. 1419 1420.

Bartholomeu Dias

Portugal. First European expedition round Cape of Good Hope. 1488

Vasco Da Gama

Portugal. Sailed round Cape of Good Hope to India and back. 1497-1499

Pedro Cabral

Portugal. Discovers Brazil and claims it for Portugal. 1500

Afonso de Alburqerque

Portugal. Sailed to Spice Islands and claimed Goa for Portugal. 1507-1511

Christopher Columbus

Spain. Looking for quick route to Asia and India. Made 4 trips between 1492-15…1492.

Vasco Nunez de Balboa

Spain. 1st European to see Pacific Ocean after crossing Ismus of Panama. 1513

Ferdinand Magellan

Portugal. Led first expedition to circumnavigate globe. Named Pacific Ocean. 1519-1522

Ponce de Leon

Spain. Sailed to Florida and first Euro to set foot there. Discovers Gulf Stream. 1508-09.

Francisco Coronado

Spain. I

First euro to explore N America southwest. 1540.

Hernando de Soto

Spain. First Euro to explore Florida and southeastern US. 1539

Hernan Cortes

Spain. Conquistador. For gold. Overthrew Aztec Smpire claims Mex for Spain.

Francisco Pizzaro

Spain. Conquistador. For gold. Discovered and conquered Inca Empire in current Peru. 1531-32.

Jacques Cartier

France. Leads 2p3 expeditions for Canada looking for NW Passage thru Canada to Asia. Sailed up St. Louins River and

Samuel de Champlain

France. Starts settlement in Quebec. 1608.

Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet

France. first to see Mississippi River and found it. explored Greta Lakes and established fort on Canada coast.

Rene-Robert Cavalier, Sigurd de Las Salle

France. Travel down Mississspii River.

Henry Hudson

England. Explored part of Artic Ocean and northeastern N America. 1607-08

John Cabot

England. Discovered New Finland (island in Canada), looking for shorter route to Asia or NW passage. 1497.

Francis Drake

England. 2nd expedition to circumnavigate world, admiral in royal navy. 1577-80.