| A | B |
|---|
| H. Hudson | Tried to discover a northern route between Europe and Asia. Sailed farther north than any other explorer before him. Explored the Hudson River, Hudson Bay, and Hudson Strait which were named for him. |
| V. de Balboa | First European to see the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean. His discoveries were the beginnings of Spanish exploration and conquest along the western coast of South America. |
| V. Bering | Led the first European expedition to explore a major part of Alaska's coast. The Bering sea, the Bering Strait, and Bering Island were named after him. |
| J. Cabot | First English voyage to North America which led to the establishment of British colonies in America. |
| F. Magellan | Led the first expedition that sailed around the world. This was the first positive proof that the world was round. He was looking for a westward route to the Spice Islands by sailing south of South America. |
| A. Vespucci | America is named after him. He explored the American mainland and claimed that he had found a new world. |
| S. de Champlain | Founded the Canadian city of Quebec and helped to colonize French North America. The French King hoped he could find a waterway through N. America to Asia. |
| J. Ponce de Leon | He was the first recorded European to explore Florida. He was looking for the fountain of youth. He was one of the first explorers to claim land in North America for Spain. |
| Hernando de Soto | Led the first European expedition to reach the Mississippi River. Helped to defeat the Inca empire. |
| Vasco da Gama | Discovered the first all-water trade route between Europe & Asia. Led the first fleet to go to India from Europe. |
| J. Cartier | His explorations gave France their rights to claim land in Canada. First European to explore the St. Lawrence River. |
| G. da Verrazano | Exlpored the eastern coast of North America trying to find the Northwest passage to China. |
| H. Cortez | His military victories in Mexico were the beginnings of Spanish control over Mexico and Central America for 300 years. |
| F. de Coronado | Tried to find the Seven Cities of Cibola which according to legend contained gold and other riches. |
| Pedro Cabral | He claimed Brazil for Portugal in 1500. His explorations helped Portugal build a large world-wide empire in the 1500's. |
| C. Columbus | He was looking for a sea route to Asia and landed on islands in the Caribbean Sea instead. |
| Prince Henry the Navigator | Sent out over 50 expeditions to explore the West African coast. These made Portugal a leader in navigation in Europe and helped improve the study of geography. He never went on any voyages himself. |
| R LaSalle | Led the first European expedition south following the Mississippi River thinking it might be the northwest passage. He claimed the entire Mississippi River for France. |
| Marquette & Joliet | Explored the Mississippi River until the Arkansas River |
| F. Pizarro | Conquered the Inca empire in Peru. This was the beginning of Spain's colonization of Sout America. |
