Christopher Columbus

-Italian explorer who said for Spain-Sailed to find a water route to Asia

-“Discovered” the island that is now Haiti and Dominican Republic

Vasco de Gama

-Portuguese Explorer -First one to sail around Africa to reach Asia

Ferdinand Magellan

-Portuguese Explorer-First to sail completely around the world-Killed in the Philippines before finishing. His

crew finished the trip for him

Henry the Navigator-Portuguese

-Prince Henry the Navigator-Rarely took part in explorations but gave money

to sailors to explore-Created the first Navigation school in Sagres,

Portugal, which taught men how to become expert sailors.

Juan Ponce de Leon-Spanish Explorer

-Sailed with Christopher Columbus-Searched Caribbean islands for gold

-“Discovered” St. Augustine Florida while searching for “The Fountain of Youth”

Francisco Pizarro

-Spanish Explorer-Traveled throughout South America

-Conquered the Incan Empire

Henry Hudson

-English Explorer-Unable to find a northeastern sea passage and

fired by the English Muscovy Company-Hired by the Dutch, disobeyed orders and sailed in opposite direction across the Atlantic Ocean to

North America.-Discovered Hudson River, Hudson Bay and

Hudson Strait in North America (today United States)

-His crew put him on a small boat with his son and they were never heard of again

John Cabot

-Italian explorer-Employed by England

-“Discovered” Newfoundland, Canada-His discovery allowed England to claim what is

now Canada.-Lost at sea looking for the Northwest Passage

Hernan Cortes

-Spanish Solider-Ignored orders from his generals and traveled to

Mexico to destroy the Aztec Empire.-After his second attempt, he defeated the

Aztecs.

Jacques Cartier

-French Explorer-Like Cabot and Hudson.. tried to find the

Northwest Passaage (route through North America that led to the Pacific Ocean).

-Discovered the might St. Lawrence River and established a fort near Quebec, Canada which

gave France a presence in North America

Spanish Explorers: 1. Columbus2. Juan Ponce De Leon3. Francisco Pizarro 4. Cortes

Portuguese Explorers: 1. Vasco de Gama2. Magellan 3. Henry the Navigator

English1. John Cabot2. Henry Hudson

French1. Jacques Cartier