Ferdinand Magellan

explorer · ocean · history

Big voyage. In 1519 Magellan led a Spanish expedition that set out to sail to the East Indies, hoping to find a new route around the world.

Found a passage. He was the first European to discover the narrow waterway near the tip of South America now called the Strait of Magellan.

Crossing the Pacific. He led the first European crossing of the giant Pacific Ocean and reached the Philippines.

Around the world. Although Magellan died in 1521, his crew, led by Juan Sebastián Elcano, finished the trip in 1522, the first time anyone sailed all the way around Earth.