Age of Exploration

Astrolabe

An instrument used by sailors to determine their location by observing the position of the stars and planets

Compass

an instrument containing a magnetized pointer that shows the direction of magnetic north and bearings from it.

Cartography

Science of map making

Vasco Da Gama

the first European to reach India by sea sailing around the tip of Africa.

Christopher Columbus

Italian navigator who discovered the New World in the service of Spain while looking for a route to China (1451-1506)

Ferdinand Magellan

Portuguese navigator who led the Spanish expedition of 1519-1522 that was the first to sail around the world.

Hispaniola

First island in Caribbean settled by Spaniards; settlement founded by Columbus on second voyage to New World; Spanish base of operations for further discoveries in New World.

Jacques Cartier

French explorer who explored the St. Lawrence river and laid claim to the region for France (1491-1557)

Henry Hudson

An English explorer who explored for the Dutch. He claimed the Hudson River

Columbian Exchange

The exchange of plants, animals, diseases, and technologies between the Americas and the rest of the world following Columbus's voyages.