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Christopher Columbus
1451-1506
Great explorer
INTRODUCTION
Christopher Columbus was possibly one of the greatest explorers ever known.
BACKGROUND
Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451, and died on May 20,
1506. Columbus was married in 1479. His wife, Dona Felipa, died after his son
was born.
Christopher Columbus had two brothers. His dad was a weaver. When
Columbus was older he helped his dad on the loom. He had little education and
only when he was an adult, learned to read and write. He believed that the world
was round, not flat, and tried for seven years to prove his point. Columbus
always wanted to go to sea. Columbus believed that he could find India by sailing
westward.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Christopher Columbus was one of the greatest sea men and explorers. He was
granted three ships for his first voyage. They were the Pinta, the Santa Maria,
and the Nina. On his first voyage he traveled west and found an island in the
Bahamas. Columbus landed in the New World on October 12, 1492.
On the second voyage he passed Puerto Rico and Navidad on November 27-28.
On his third voyage he found South America, and Jamaica. On his fourth and
last voyage, Columbus found Guanaja Island, and Honduras in Central America.
Christopher Columbus tried to reach India but instead found the New World.
In the West Indies he saw foods such as pineapples, sweet potatoes, and corn.
Columbus used a sand glass to time the speed of the ship. In Cuba he found
Indians smoking the plant known as tobacco.
IMPACT
Christopher Columbus discovered the coast of South America. He also
discovered the West Indies and Central America. He discovered the Bahamas,
Cuba, and Haiti.
This picture was painted because Columbus found the New World.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Cox, F Kenneth. Human Heritage. Toronto, Charles E. Merrill Publishing Co.,
1983, pp. 473-474.
2. Grant, Neil. The Great Atlas of Discovery. Toronto, The Canadian Publishers,
1992, pp. 24-25.
3. King, Cliea. Seven Great Explorations. Vancouver, Raincoast Books, 1996, pp.
9-12.
4. "Christopher Columbus." World Book Encyclopedia. 1990, pp. 854-864.
5. Dick, Stevens J. "Christopher Columbus." Groiler Electronic Publishing, Inc.,
1995.
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
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Picture of Christopher Columbus
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Interesting Facts, Picture and information
about Christopher Columbus
Short Biography about the life of Christopher
Columbus - Explorer and Navigator
Facts, Timeline & History Christopher
Columbus
Major voyages of discovery and exploration
Famous Explorer - Timeline, Story and
Biography
The Age of Exploration
Elizabethan Era Index
Christopher Columbus
Biography, Timeline & Facts about the famous explorer, explorations & voyages in the Age of Exploration
Christopher Columbus Ships
Short Biography of the life of Christopher Columbus - Explorer and Navigator
The following biography information provides basic facts about the life Christopher Columbus:
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Nationality - Born in Italy. Lived in Portugal and in Spain. Patrons - King Ferdinand and Queen
Isabella of Spain
Lifespan - 1451 - 1506
Family - Respectable, but impoverished family. Christopher Columbus was the eldest of five
children. Christopher Columbus had two sons by different mothers. His heir was Diego Columbus
(1480 - 1526). His second and favorite son was Ferdinand, better known as Fernando ( 1488 - 1539)
Education - Limited due to lack of money in the family
Career - Explorer and Navigator
Famous for discovering the New World, yet he died thinking he had reached the Indies. A man
called Regiomontanus was famous as a Medieval Scientist, Mathematician and Astronomer. His
book Ephemerides was used by Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci to measure
longitudes in their explorations of the New World.
The Ships of Christopher Columbus - Explorer and Navigator
The names of the Ships of Christopher Columbus:
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The Nina
The Pinta
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The Santa Maria
Facts & History about the Early life of Christopher Columbus - Explorer and Navigator
The following are facts and dates in a timeline format telling the story about the early life and history of
Christopher Columbus:
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1451 Christopher Columbus was born in the Italian port of Genoa, the son of a wool merchant
called Domenico Colombo
His mother was Susanna Fontanarossa, the daughter of a woollens merchant. Christopher
Columbus had three younger brothers, Bartolomeo, Giovanni Pellegrino, and Giacomo, and a
sister, Bianchinetta Columbus
1467 Christopher Columbus travelled to Iceland when he was sixteen years old
1470 The Columbus family moved to Savona
Christopher Columbus travelled the seas as a pirate, or Privateer, attacking ships belonging to the
Moors
1476 Christopher Columbus ship is sunk in a battle off Portugal, but he swims ashore
1477 Christopher Columbus joined his brother Bartholomew who worked as a cartographer, in
Lisbon
1479 Christopher Columbus married wealthy Felipa Perestrello Moniz, a daughter from a noble
Portuguese family
 Felipa's father was Bartolomeu Perestrello an explorer who had been involved with the
discovery of the Madeira Islands ( Bartolomeu Perestrello had died when Felipa was a young
girl)
 Felipa gave Christopher Columbus Bartolomeu Perestrello's charts of the winds and
currents of the Portuguese possessions in the Atlantic
1480 Christopher Columbus and Felipa had a son who they named Diego Colon
1484 Christopher Columbus failed to get the King of Portugal to back his plan to search for a fast
trade route to the Indies
1485 Christopher Columbus wife Felipa dies of consumption
1485 Christopher Columbus moves to Cadiz in Spain opening another shop supplying maps and
charts
1486 Columbus begins his relationship with Dona Beatriz Enriquez de Arana, a lady of a noble
family from Cordova in Spain
1486 Columbus first petitions his plans to the Spanish court but is refused
1487 He was in the service of the Duke of Medina Celi, Don Luis de la Cerda
1487 Columbus submits his plans to King Henry VII of England and King Charles VIII of France
but they both decline his proposals
1488 His second and favorite son Ferdinand, better known as Fernando ( 1488 - 1539) was born. His
mother was Dona Beatriz Enriquez
1491 Columbus again appealed to King Ferdinand taking his son Diego with him but he was again
refused
1491 A priest called Father Perez interceded on behalf of Columbus and pleaded with Queen
Isabella to fund Columbus who, if he succeed would be able to convert heathen races to Christianity
1492 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain finally give Christopher Columbus the money
and ships
Both the sons of Christopher Columbus served as pages to Prince Juan, the son of the King
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Ferdinand and Queen Isabella
1492 August Columbus leaves Palos, Spain in search of the Indies
Timeline, Facts & History about the 1492 voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World
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Christopher Columbus ship was called the Santa Maria. It was completely decked and carried the
flag of Columbus as admiral. His son, Fernando accompanied Columbus
The other two ships, the Pinta, and the Nina, were undecked caravels with cabins and forecastles
Martin Alonso Pinzon commanded the Pinta and his brother, Vicente Yanez Pinzon commanded
the Nina
Christopher Columbus three ships carried 120 men
1492 September 8 - The Voyage of Christopher Columbus began
1492 September 15 The ships touched at the Canaries the conditions were favorable
1492 September 20 The Sargasso Sea - the conditions change. Columbus kept two log books to
deceive the crew as to the real length of the voyage
1492 September 23 The Crew Members Become Disgruntled
1492 October 7 False Landfall is spotted
1492 October 11 There is near Mutiny from the crew
1492 October 12 Land was seen plainly by one of the Pinta's crew
1492 October 12 Columbus lands on Watling's Island in the Bahamas, West Indies. The discoverers
named the island San Salvador. Columbus believes that he has reached the passage to India and
China
1492 October 28 Cuba
1492 December 5 the Santa Maria sinks off the cost of Hispaniola
Christopher Columbus establishes the first Spanish settlement in the New World
1492 January 16 Christopher Columbus starts the return journey home to Spain
Timeline, Facts & History about the Later life of Christopher Columbus
The following are facts and dates in a timeline format telling the story about the later life and history of
Christopher Columbus:
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1493 Christopher Columbus arrives at Palos in Spain on 15 March, 1493
He brings the news to Europe of the New World
1493, 25 September The Second voyage of Christopher Columbus with 16 ships from Cadiz,
carrying about 1500 men including Juan Ponce de Leon
Columbus explores Hispaniola (Jamaica) and encounters the hostile Carib and Arawak native
indians
Columbus establishes a Spanish settlement in Haiti and searches for gold
1494 September 29 Christopher Columbus returns to Spain
1498 May 30 The Third voyage of Christopher Columbus from Seville, Spain, with six ships
31 July 1498 Christopher Columbus arrived at the Cape Verde Islands, near Trinidad
Columbus crossed over to the mainland where he discovered pearls
Christopher Columbus was the first European to land in South America
News spreads to Spain about problems in the Spanish settlements. Columbus is heavily criticised
for its handling
A visita was ordered - it was a much dreaded measure. The visitador chosen to investigate was
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Francisco de Bobadilla
24 August, 1500 Bobadilla landed at Santo Domingo
Francisco de Bobadilla believed that Columbus and his brothers considered themselves rulers of the
new country. He ordered their imprisonment, where they were harshly held in irons
1500 October Christopher Columbus and his brothers are sent home in chains
Royalty, nobility and the Spanish people were horrified at the injustices which ad been heaped on
Christopher Columbus and all previous property confiscated and rank was restored to Christopher
Columbus
Christopher Columbus proposed yet another voyage of discovery
1502 Fourth and final voyage of Christopher Columbus leaves from Cadiz, Spain, with four ships
1504 7th November - Christopher Columbus returns to Spain
1506, May 20 Christopher Columbus dies at the Spanish court at Valladolid
Interesting Facts and Information about Christopher Columbus
Some interesting facts, timeline and biography information about the History, Life & Times of
Christopher Columbus
http://www.elizabethanera.org.uk/christophercolumbus.htm
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Sir Francis Drake
Biography, Timeline & Facts about the famous
explorer, explorations & voyages in the Age of
Exploration
The Golden Hind Ship
Short Biography of the life of Sir Francis
Drake - Seaman, Explorer and Pirate
The following facts, biography information
provides basic facts about the life Sir Francis
Drake:
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Nationality - English
Lifespan - 1540 - 1596
Family - Son of a farmer and preacher
Sir Francis Drake Naval Career
 Navigator of a small merchant ship
in the 1550's
 Officer on West African slave ships
 Sailed to the Caribbean with his
cousin John Hawkins
 Francis Drake was the first to pass
from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast
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of South America
 Sailed round the World in the ship
called the Golden Hind
 Appointed Vice Admiral of the navy
that destroyed the Spanish Armada
Famous as a seaman, explorer and a pirate,
sailing around the World, raiding the
Spanish and helping to defeat the Spanish
Armada
Facts, Timeline & History about the life of
Sir Francis Drake - Seaman, Explorer and
Pirate
The following are additional facts and timeline
about the life and history of Sir Francis Drake:
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Born in Tavistock, in Devonshire
Francis Drake was the eldest of twelve
sons!
Distant relative of Sir Walter Raleigh
Drake married Mary Newman before he
had acquired wealth or fame in 1569 but
she died 12 years later
In 1572 Queen Elizabeth commissioned
Drake as a privateer to sail for the
Americas
Drake was the first to pass from the
Atlantic to the Pacific coast of South
America. He raided Nombre de Dios,
Panama
He returned to England bringing Spanish
gold and plunder
In 1577 Queen Elizabeth selected him to be
the head of an expedition that was to sail
around the world
He re-named his ship from 'The Pelican to
the 'Golden Hind'
In 1579 he stopped near the present-day
San Francisco to repair the Golden Hind.
He claimed the land for for England which
he called New Albion
1580 he returned to England
In 1581 he was knighted Sir Francis Drake
on board the Golden Hind by Queen
Elizabeth
He purchased Buckland Abbey in Devon
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In 1585 Drake married Elizabeth
Sydenham, some twenty years his junior
who came from a wealthy and wellconnected family
1585: Drake travelled to Brazil
accompanied by his nephew Richard
Hawkins
26 June 1586 - Drake visited Sir Walter
Raleigh's colony headed by Ralph Lane,
finding disheartened colonists and hostile
Indians
In 1587 Drake attacked and destroyed the
Spanish Fleet at Cadiz - referred to as
'Singeing Philip of Spain's beard'
In 1588 he was appointed Vice Admiral of
the navy that destroyed the Spanish
Armada
Famous for finishing a game of bowls
whilst waiting for the weather to change
before sailing to meet the Spanish Armada
1588: Spanish Armada of 132 ships sails
for England. England's navy consists of 34
ships and 163 armed merchant vessels
1588 Jul 29, The Spanish Armada was
sighted off the coast of England
1588 Jul 30, The English exchanged fire
with the Spanish Armada
1588 Aug 8, The English Navy destroys the
Spanish Armada
1595: Sir Francis Drake embarks on his
last voyage to the Caribbean with Sir John
Hawkins (who dies of fever on the voyage)
1595: Sir Francis Drake was sent to attack
Spanish settlements in the West Indies but
he also died on the journey home
1596 January 28: Sir Francis Drake died
on board the Defiance aged about 55
Sir Francis Drake died of a tropical disease
referred to as "the bloody flux" which was
probably Yellow Fever
1596 January 29: Sir Francis Drake was
buried at sea in a lead coffin off Puerto
Bello
Sir Francis Drake had no children
His title passed to a nephew - also named
Francis
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In 1628 the second Sir Francis Drake
published the chronicle of the
circumnavigation called 'The World
Encompassed'
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MAGELLAN
1480 - 1521
Great explorer
INTRODUCTION
Ferdinand Magellan was one of the greatest explorers of the Renaissance Period.
BACKGROUND
Magellan was born in 1480. In his native tongue his name was Fernanao de
Magalhaes. In his younger years he became a page in the Portuguese court. He
became a soldier when he was 25 and served in India.
In 1512 he went to offer his services to the king of Spain. Inspired by rumors of
another ocean on the other side of the new world that Christopher Columbus
had discovered, he wanted to prove that the Spice Islands were on the Spanish
side of the line of demarcation between Spain and Portugal. In 1518, King
Charles I of Spain approved the plan and after a year of preparation the
expedition left Seville on September 20, 1519.
Food and water gave out and the crew had to eat rats, ox hides, and sawdust
before reaching Guam.
In 1521, Magellan was killed in a fight between local natives while on the Spice
Islands.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
At a young age of 17 Magellan sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and he
sailed for the king of Spain.
He got five ships and left Seville on September 20, 1519. He sailed around the tip
of South America. He found the westward passage and it was named the Strait of
Magellan in his name. He also found the new ocean and named it the Pacific in
honour of its calm and peaceful waters, and crossed it East to West.
He landed in Guam and then in the Phillipines where he was killed.
His crew moved on to the Spice Islands and later made it back by sailing around
the tip of South Africa with only 10 men left. Even though he didn't live to the
end of the trip Magellan is still considered the leader of the first
circumnavigation around the world.
IMPACT
Magellan's impact was providing the first positive proof that the world was
round, and that opened up trade routes to explorers all over the world.
Magellan's route
Ferdinand Magellan
Ferdinand Magellan
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Picture of Ferdinand Magellan
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Interesting Picture, Facts and information
about Ferdinand Magellan
Short Biography about the life of Ferdinand
Magellan - Explorer and Navigator
Facts, Picture and History of Ferdinand
Magellan
Famous Explorers
The Age of Exploration
Elizabethan Era Index
Ferdinand Magellan
Biography, Timeline & Facts about the famous explorer, explorations & voyages in the Age of Exploration
Ferdinand Magellan Ships
Short Biography of the life of Ferdinand Magellan - Explorer and Navigator
The following biography information provides basic facts about the life Ferdinand Magellan:
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Nationality - Portuguese
Lifespan - 1480 - 1521
Family - son of wealthy Mayor Pedro Ruy de Magalhaes and of Alda de Mezquita.
Education - Tutored at the Court of Portugal
Career - Explorer and Navigator
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Famous for : Ferdinand Magellan a Portuguese sea captain who led five Spanish ships and 251 men
in the first voyage around the World
The government of Spain provided the 5 ships for the expedition - Ferdinand Magellan Ships
 Magellan commanded the Trinidad
 Juan de Cartagena commanded the San Antonio
 Gaspar de Quesada commanded the Conception
 Luis de Mendoza commanded the Victoria
 Juan Serrano commanded the Santiago
Facts, Timeline & History about the life of Ferdinand Magellan - Explorer and Navigator
The following are additional facts about the life, timeline and history of Ferdinand Magellan:
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1480: Ferdinand Magellan was born at Saborosa in Villa Real, Province of Traz os Montes in
Portugal
Magellan was from a wealthy and influential family and he spent his early years at the Portuguese
court
One of his teachers was believed to be the cartographer and navigator, Martin Behaim and
Magellan become interested in making great voyages of discovery
Ferdinand Magellan also studied the maps of Christopher Columbus
1505: Ferdinand Magellan joined the expedition of Francisco d'Almeida to India
1512: Magellan took part in the Portuguese expedition to Morocco and was badly wounded
1512: Ferdinand Magellan had a major disagreement with a commanding officer and left the
service without prior permission
1513: Ferdinand Magellan asked King Manuel of Portugal for permission to sail to the Spice
Islands in the Far East. His request was refused following the unfavourable reports from Morocco
He resumed his studies in Portugal for a couple more years but it was obvious he would not gain
support from the Portuguese court. He therefore renounced his Portuguese nationality
1518: Magellan left Portugal and headed for Spain
1519 March 22: Magellan convinced King Charles I of Spain to support his voyage to the Spice
Islands. King Charles promised Magellan one-fifth of the profits from the voyage to the Spice
Islands
The government of Spain provided 5 ships for the expedition:
 Magellan commanded Trinidad
 Juan de Cartagena commanded the San Antonio
 Gaspar de Quesada commanded the Conception
 Luis de Mendoza commanded the Victoria
 Juan Serrano commanded the Santiago
Ferdinand Magellan led the five Spanish ships and 251 men in what was to become the first voyage
around the World
1519, 20 September: The fleet under Ferdinand Magellan sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to South
America and Rio de Janeiro. Magellan then started to search for a passage to the Pacific Ocean
1520, March: Magellan's fleet anchored for the winter at Puerto San Julian in Southern Argentina
1520 September : A storm destroys the Santiago and a mutiny breaks out
1520 October: Magellan and his crew resumed their voyage on the remaining ships
1520, 21 November: he entered the straits which would be named the Magellan Straits - they were
to be the first Europeans ever to sail across the Pacific
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1521 13 February Magellan reached the Equator
1521 March 6: Magellan reached the Pacific island of Guam
1521 16 March Magellan discovers the Philippines
1521 April 27: Ferdinand Magellan was killed by natives on the island of Mactan
Only 110 of the original crew members remained so they abandoned one of the ships - the
Conception
The Trinidad tried to return back to Spain the same way they had came but was forced to return to
the Spice Islands where they were imprisoned by the Portuguese
The Victoria was the last remaining ship
1522, September 6 the Victoria reached Sanlucar de Barrameda in Spain with only eighteen
survivors
The momentous voyage of Ferdinand Magellan had taken nearly three years and many lives
MARCO POLO
1254-1324
Famous traveler
INTRODUCTION
Marco Polo was a Venetian (Italian) explorer who travelled through Central
Asia and China.
BACKGROUND
Marco Polo was born in 1254 and he died in 1324. He was an Italian explorer
from Venice. His mother died after giving him birth. He was named after an
uncle and grew up to be a strapping youth. His aunt and uncle raised him. He
learned how to read and write. His father and uncle were both merchants. He
was seventeen on his first journey to China in 1271.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Marco Polo travelled to China with his father and uncle over the Silk Road
which was an overland route to China. He worked for Kublai Khan, the Mongol
Emperor, for seventeen years. He sailed home instead of going overland. He
brought back ivory, jade, jewels, porcelain and silk. He told about the Chinese
use of coal, money and compasses. He met Rustichello, a famous writer, who
wrote about Marco Polo's travels in a book called THE BOOK OF TRAVELS.
Marco Polo became famous for his travels through Central Asia and China. His
book gave Europeans some of their earliest information about China.
IMPACT
His information was received with astonishment and disbelief. His book
stimulated interest in the Orient. It was widely read. It stimulated trade.
The route that Marco Polo took to get to China.