Caravel

A small 15 and 16th century ship with a broad bow, high stern and three or four masts

Christopher Columbus

Portuguese explorer who was the first to visit and settle San Salvador, Cuba, Grenada,

Trinidad, and Tobago and reached the South American mainland from 1492 to 1494

Circumnavigate

Going around, especially by water

Colony

A region politically controlled by a distant country

Columbian Exchange

The widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations and ideas between

America, Europe and Africa following Columbus's voyage to the Americas in 1492.

Ferdinand Magellan

Portuguese explorer who served Spain and whose crew became the first group to

circumnavigate the globe from 1519-1522.

Giovanni da Verrazano

Italian explorer who was sent by King Francis I of France to explore the East coast of North

America for a route to the Pacific and eventually discovered New York Harbor.

King Ferdinand

King of Spain who authorized Christopher Columbus's expedition to look for trade routes

in the Far East.

New World

In the Western Hemisphere, especially the landmasses of North and South America that Columbus explored from 1492-1494 is often

referred to as the New World

Prince Henry the Navigator

3rd son of John I of Portugal and Philippa of Lancaster who organized expeditions of sailors to explore the West coast of Africa.

Queen Isabella

Queen of Spain who authorized Christopher Columbus's expedition to look for trade routes in the Far East.

Vasco da Gama

Portuguese explorer who searched for and found a trade route to India.

Gil Eannes

was a Portuguese explorer commissioned by Prince Henry and he was the first person to sail beyond Cape Bojador.

Cape Verde Islands

Located 350 miles off the West coast of Africa that were discovered by Italian explorer Alvise Cadamasto in 1456.

Strait of Magellan

Is located at the southernmost part of South America and is named after Ferdinand Magellan.