Great ExplorersGreat Explorers

European whose descriptions European whose descriptions of the riches of China made of the riches of China made traders want to go to Asia.traders want to go to Asia.

Marco PoloMarco Polo

Leader of First Europeans to Leader of First Europeans to visit the Americasvisit the Americas

Leif ErikssonLeif Eriksson

Portuguese explorer who Portuguese explorer who found a sea route to Asia by found a sea route to Asia by sailing around Africasailing around Africa

Vasco da GamaVasco da Gama

Portuguese explorer who Portuguese explorer who was the first European to sail was the first European to sail around the southern tip of around the southern tip of Africa.Africa.

Bartholomeu DiasBartholomeu Dias

Italian explorer who figured Italian explorer who figured out that Columbus had not out that Columbus had not reached Asia.reached Asia.

Amerigo VespucciAmerigo Vespucci

European who proved it was European who proved it was possible to reach Asia by possible to reach Asia by sailing west from Europesailing west from Europe

Ferdinand MagellanFerdinand Magellan

Leader of the Spanish Leader of the Spanish conquistadors who conquistadors who conquered the Aztecsconquered the Aztecs

Hernando CortesHernando Cortes

Spanish conquistador who Spanish conquistador who ordered his soldiers to kill the ordered his soldiers to kill the Inca EmperorInca Emperor

Francisco PizzaroFrancisco Pizzaro

Spanish explorer who looked Spanish explorer who looked for the Fountain of Youth and for the Fountain of Youth and named for present-day named for present-day Florida.Florida.

Juan Ponce de LeonJuan Ponce de Leon

Explorer who claimed for Explorer who claimed for Spain all of what is today the Spain all of what is today the southeastern United States.southeastern United States.

Hernando de SotoHernando de Soto

Explorer who founded Explorer who founded Quebec and MontrealQuebec and Montreal..

Samuel de ChamplainSamuel de Champlain