european explorers

Bartolomeu Dias

sailed for Portugal and was the first European to sail around the Cape of Good Hope.

Vasco da Gama

was from Portugal and was the first European to sail to India using a sea route.

Pedro Álvares Cabra

explored Brazil and claimed Brazil for Portugal.

Christopher Columbus

was an Italian who sailed for Spain. He explored the Caribbean Islands (or the Americas) and believed he had reached the Indies (Asia).

Amerigo Vespucci

sailed for Spain (and Portugal), though he was Italian. He explored South America, and the continent was later named America after him.

Hernán Cortés

was from Spain and is known for conquering the Aztec Empire in Mexico.

Francisco Pizarro

was an explorer from Spain who conquered the Inca Empire in Peru.

Vasco Núñez de Balboa

sailed for Spain and explored Panama, where he claimed the Pacific Ocean (or the South Sea) for Spain.

Bartolomé de las Casas

was from Spain and explored the Americas, where he became known for protecting Native Americans.

Ferdinand Magellan

was from Portugal but sailed for Spain. He explored the Pacific Ocean and is famous for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe.