People and geographical events. Travel History: Famous Travelers of the Age of Discovery

During travels, expeditions sometimes discover new, previously unknown geographical objects - mountain ranges, peaks, rivers, glaciers, islands, bays, straits, sea ​​currents, deep depressions or hills on the seabed, etc. This is - geographical discoveries.

In ancient times and the Middle Ages, geographical discoveries were usually made by the peoples of the most economically developed countries. These countries were Ancient Egypt, Phoenicia, later - Portugal, Spain, Holland, England, France. In the XVII-XIX centuries. many major geographical discoveries were made by Russian explorers in Siberia and Far East, navigators in the Pacific Ocean, in the Arctic and Antarctic.

Discoveries of particular importance were made in the 15th-18th centuries, when feudalism was replaced by a new social formation - capitalism. At this time, America was discovered, the sea route around Africa to India and Indochina, Australia, the strait separating Asia and the North. America (Bering), many islands in the Pacific Ocean, the northern coast of Siberia, sea currents in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It was the era of the great geographical discoveries.

Geographical discoveries have always been made under the influence of economic factors, in pursuit of unknown lands, new markets. In these centuries, powerful maritime capitalist powers were formed, enriched by seizing discovered lands, enslaving and plundering the local population. The era of the great geographical discoveries in the economic sense is called the era of the primitive accumulation of capital.

The actual course of geographical discoveries in its most important stages developed in the following sequence.

In the Old World (Europe, Africa, Asia), many discoveries were made in ancient times by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, Greeks (for example, during the military campaigns of Alexander the Great in Central Asia and India). On the basis of the information accumulated then, the ancient Greek scientist Claudius Ptolemy in the II century. compiled a map of the world that covered the entire Old World, though far from accurate.

A significant contribution to the geographical discoveries on the east coast of Africa and in South and Central Asia was made by Arab travelers and merchants of the 8th-14th centuries.

In search of sea routes to India in the 15th century. Portuguese navigators bypassed Africa from the south, discovering everything western and South coast mainland.

Undertaking a voyage in search of a route to India through Atlantic Ocean, the Spanish expedition of Christopher Columbus in 1492 reached the Bahamas, Greater and Lesser Antilles, marking the beginning of the discoveries of the Spanish conquerors.

In 1519–1522 the Spanish expedition of Ferdinand Magellan and El Cano for the first time bypassed the Earth from east to west, opened for Europeans Pacific Ocean(It has been known to the locals of Indo-China and South America since ancient times).

Great discoveries in the Arctic were made by Russian and foreign sailors in the 15th-17th centuries. The British explored the coast of Greenland from 1576 to 1631 and discovered Baffin Island. Russian sailors in the XVI century. already hunted a sea animal near Novaya Zemlya, at the beginning of the 17th century. passed along the northern coast of Siberia, discovered the Yamal, Taimyr, Chukotsky peninsulas. S. Dezhnev in 1648 passed through the Bering Strait from the Northern Arctic Ocean to Quiet.

in the southern hemisphere in the seventeenth century. the Dutchman A. Tasman discovered the island of Tasmania, and in the 18th century. Englishman J. Cook - New Zealand and East Coast Australia. Cook's travels laid the foundation for knowledge about the distribution of water and land on Earth, completing the discovery of the Pacific Ocean.

In the XVIII century. and the beginning of the 19th century. expeditions have already been organized for special scientific purposes.

By the beginning of the XIX century. only the Arctic and Antarctic remained unexplored. The largest of the expeditions in the XVIII century. was supplied by the Russian government. These are the First (1725–1728) and Second (1733–1743) Kamchatka expeditions, when the northern tip of Asia was discovered - Cape Chelyuskin and many other objects in the North. In this expedition, V. Bering and A. I. Chirikov discovered Northwestern America and the Aleutian Islands. Many islands in the Pacific Ocean have been discovered round the world expeditions Russians, starting from swimming in 1803–1807. I. F. Kruzenshtern and Yu. F. Lisyansky. The last continent, Antarctica, was discovered in 1820 by F. F. Bellingshausen and M. P. Lazarev.

In the 19th century "white spots" disappeared from the interior of the continents, especially Asia. The expeditions of P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky and especially Ya. M. Przhevalsky for the first time studied in detail vast regions of Central Asia and northern Tibet, almost unknown until that time.

D. Livingston and R. Stanley traveled in Africa.

The Arctic and Antarctic remained unexplored. At the end of the XIX century. new islands and archipelagos were discovered in the Arctic, and separate sections of the coast in Antarctica. The American R. Piri reached the North Pole in 1909, and the Norwegian R. Amundsen reached the South Pole in 1911. In the XX century. most significant territorial openings were made in Antarctica and maps of its over-ice and under-ice relief were created.

The study of Antarctica with the help of aircraft in 1928–1930. conducted by the American J. Wilkins, then the Englishman L. Ellsworth. In 1928–1930 and in subsequent years, an American expedition led by R. Byrd worked in the Antarctic.

Large Soviet complex expeditions began to study Antarctica in connection with the holding in 1957-1959. International Geophysical Year. At the same time, a special Soviet scientific station was established - "Mirny", the first inland station at an altitude of 2700 m - "Pionerskaya", then - "Vostok", "Komsomolskaya" and others.

The scale of the work of the expeditions was expanding. The structure and nature of the ice cover, the temperature regime, the structure and composition of the atmosphere, and the movement of air masses were studied. But Soviet scientists made the largest discoveries during the examination coastline mainland. The bizarre outlines of more than 200 previously unknown islands, bays, capes and mountain ranges appeared on the map.

In our time, significant territorial discoveries on land are impossible. The search is in the oceans. In recent years, research has been carried out so intensively, and even with the use of the latest technology, that much has already been discovered and mapped, which are published in the form of an atlas of the World Ocean and individual oceans.

Now there are few "white spots" left at the bottom of the oceans, huge deep-water plains and trenches, vast mountain systems are open.

Does all this mean that geographical discoveries are impossible in our time, that “everything is already open”? Far from it. And they are still possible in many areas, especially the World Ocean, in the polar regions, in the highlands. But in our time, the very meaning of the concept of “geographical discovery” has changed in many ways. Geographical science now sets itself the task of identifying the interrelations in nature and economy, establishing geographical laws and regularities (see Geography).

The last centuries of the feudal period, mainly during the Renaissance, include many important geographical discoveries. In 982 an Icelandic Viking Eiriko Raudi(Ryzhim) discovered Greenland, on the coast of which he developed a settlement. Eirik's son Leif Erickson, nicknamed the Happy, apparently reached the shore in 1001 (was nailed by a storm) North America at 40 degrees N. sh., i.e. in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bmodern Philadelphia.

Late 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century. were marked by geographical discoveries made by the famous navigators Columbus, Magellan, Amerigo Vespucci, Vasco da Gama and others.

Christopher Columbus(1452-1506) was born in Genoa. Even in his youth, he determined the goal of his life: to pave the shortest (as he thought) route from Europe to India, moving not as usual, to the east, but to the west. Columbus knew, of course, that the Earth was spherical. In 1485, he settled in Castile, by that time just included in Spain, and obtained consent to equipping a sea expedition. In total, Columbus managed to conduct four expeditions.

The first expedition dates back to 1492-1493, 4 ships and about 90 people took part in it. The ships of Columbus sailed from Cape Palos (near the city of Karhatena) on August 3, 1492, and after more than two months of sailing, they ended up near the coast Central America. During the first voyage, Columbus failed to reach the American mainland. His expedition discovered the island of San Salvador and a number of other islands in the Bahamas, the islands of Cuba and Haiti. October 12, 1492 - the day of the discovery of the island of San Salvador and the landing on its coast - is considered the official date of the discovery of America. On March 15, 1493, the ships returned to Europe.

The second expedition, consisting of 17 ships and 1.5 thousand people, took place in 1493-1496. Its participants again failed to set foot on the American mainland. The islands of Dominica and Guadeloupe, a number of other islands of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, the Jardines de la Feina archipelago, the islands of Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Pinos were discovered. Columbus undertook aggressive campaigns deep into the island of Haiti and on June 11, 1496 returned to Spain.

The third expedition (1498-1500), which consisted of 6 ships, was marked by the fact that the coast of South America was reached in the area of ​​the Orinoco River Delta (the territory of modern Venezuela). The islands of Trinidad and Margarita were also discovered.

The fourth, last, expedition took place in 1502-1504, 4 ships took part in it. Columbus still sought to find a western route to India. The shores of Central America (the territory of modern Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) were reached, and the island of Martinique was discovered.

The discoveries of Columbus were used to create Spanish colonies in new lands. The local population, called Indians by Columbus, was subjected to ruthless destruction. This was the first consequence of the great geographical discoveries of Columbus.

The name of the new part of the world - America - comes, as you know, on behalf of the navigator Amerigo Vespucci(approx. 1451-1512) - a contemporary of Columbus, a native of Florence. In 1499 - 1504, i.e. during the third and fourth voyages of Columbus, he participated in several Spanish and Portuguese expeditions to the South American region. His letters about these travels, addressed to the Italian poet, the ruler of Florence, Lorenzo Medici and a certain Piero Soderini, were repeatedly republished, and became very widely known. Amerigo Vespucci suggested the discovery of a new continent and named it New World. In 1507, the Lorraine cartographer Waldseemüller named this continent America in honor of Amerigo Vespucci. The name was recognized and was later extended to North America.

Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama(1469-1524) first laid a sea route from Europe to the countries of South Asia. He, unfortunately, is also known for his cruelty and robbery of the population of the countries he conquered.

In 1497, an expedition of 4 ships under the command of Vasco da Gama set off from Lisbon to India. The ships rounded the cape Good Hope, made a stop in the Somali port of Molindi, where they took on board the Arab sailor Ahmed ibn Majid, who knew Indian Ocean, and reached the city of Calicut (now called Kozhikode) on the coast of South India. In 1499 the expedition returned to Lisbon.

During the second expedition (1500-1502), which already included 20 ships, strongholds were formed on the coast of India, north of the city of Calicut, the city of Calicut was captured, plundered and devastated. For these "merits" in 1524, Vasco da Gama was appointed Viceroy of India. During the third expedition, he died.

Ferdinand Magellan(approx. 1480-1521) - Portuguese and Spanish navigator, whose expedition first made circumnavigation, made important geographical discoveries, showed that between Asia and America is the largest ocean on Earth, which she called the Pacific.

Magellan's expedition, consisting of 5 ships, set off in September 1519 from the Spanish port of Sanluccar de Barrameda (in southern Spain) and in January 1520 reached La Plata Bay on the coast of South America (Buenos Aires is located in this bay ). The voyage was accompanied by great difficulties; there was no agreement between the Portuguese and Spanish sailors who were part of the expedition. From there, the ships moved south along the east coast of South America. Their eyes were presented to a huge unknown land - a vast plateau, which they called Patagonia.

After wintering in San Julian Bay (in the southern part of the Atlantic coast of South America), the expedition, which already included 4 ships, moved further south. The expedition managed to make an important geographical discovery - to discover a strait connecting two oceans (the Atlantic and the Great, or Pacific), located between the southern end of the South American mainland and the archipelago Tierra del Fuego which was later named the Strait of Magellan.

Having passed through it, Magellan's expedition, which consisted of only three ships, entered the ocean called the Pacific, and after four months, full of hardships (there was not enough food and fresh water), the voyage reached the Philippine Islands, which turned out to be fatal for Magellan - here he was killed in clash with the locals.

The round-the-world trip was completed by only one ship from the expedition of Magellan - the ship "Victoria", led by Captain Elcano, who also became the head of the expedition after the death of Magellan. The Victoria crossed the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, entered the Mediterranean Sea and returned to the port of Sanluccar de Barrameda. Of the 265 people who were the original members of the Magellan expedition, only 18 people returned.

The expedition of Magellan, in addition to geographical discoveries, the most important of which were mentioned, convincingly confirmed that the Earth has the shape of a ball, proved that most of the Earth's surface is covered with water of the oceans and seas, which together make up a single world ocean.

The era of the great geographical discoveries is the most important stage in the history of mankind. This is a time when the outlines of continents, seas and oceans are becoming more accurate, technical devices are being improved, and the leading countries of that time are sending sailors in search of new rich lands. In this lesson, you will learn about the sea expeditions of Vasco da Gama, Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan, as well as the discovery of new lands by them.

background

Among the reasons for the Great geographical discoveries are:

Economic

After the era of the Crusades, Europeans developed strong trade ties with the East. In the East, Europeans bought spices, fabrics, jewelry. In the XV century. land caravan routes through which Europeans traded with Eastern countries were captured by the Turks. The task of finding a sea route to India appeared.

Technological

The compass and the astrolabe (an instrument for measuring latitude and longitude) were improved.

New types of ships appeared - caravel, carakka and galleon. They were distinguished by their spaciousness and powerful sailing equipment.

Navigation charts were invented - portolans.

Now Europeans could make not only traditional coastal voyages (i.e., mainly along the coast), but also go far into the open sea.

Developments

1445- the expedition organized by Henry the Navigator reached the Green Cape (the western point of Africa). Madeira Island was discovered Canary Islands, part of the Azores.

1453- Constantinople is captured by the Turks.

1471 The Portuguese reached the equator for the first time.

1488- Expedition Bartolomeu Dias reached the southernmost point of Africa - the Cape of Good Hope.

1492- Christopher Columbus discovered the islands of San Salvador, Haiti, Cuba in the Caribbean.

1497-1499- Vasco da Gama reached the Indian port of Calicut, rounding Africa. For the first time, a route was opened to the East across the Indian Ocean.

1519- Ferdinand Magellan goes on an expedition in which he discovers the Pacific Ocean. And in 1521 it reaches the Mariana and Philippine Islands.

Members

Rice. 2. Astrolabe ()

Rice. 3. Caravel ()

Successes have also been made in cartography. European cartographers began to draw maps with more accurate outlines of the coasts of Europe, Asia and North America. The Portuguese invented navigational charts. On them, in addition to the outlines of the coast, depicted settlements, obstacles encountered on the way, as well as the location of ports. These navigation charts were called portolans.

The pioneers were Spaniards and Portuguese. The idea of ​​conquering Africa was born in Portugal. However, the knightly cavalry was helpless in the sands. Portuguese prince Henry the Navigator(Fig. 4) decided to try the sea route along the west coast of Africa. The expeditions he organized discovered the island of Madeira, part of the Azores, the Canary Islands. In 1445, the Portuguese reached the western point of Africa - Cape Green . Somewhat later, the coast of the Gulf of Guinea was discovered. A large amount of gold and ivory was found there. Hence the name - Gold Coast, Ivory Coast. At the same time, African slaves were discovered, which were traded by local leaders. Portugal became the first European country to sell live goods.

Rice. 4. Henry the Navigator ()

Already after the death of Henry the Navigator, the Portuguese reached the equator in 1471. In 1488 the expedition Bartolomeu Dias reached south end Africa - Cape of Good Hope. Rounding Africa, this expedition entered the Indian Ocean. However, due to the rebellion of the sailors, Bartolomeu Dias was forced to return. His path continued Vasco da Gama (Fig. 5), which in 1497-1499. rounded Africa and after an 8-month voyage arrived in the Indian port of Calicut (Fig. 6).

Rice. 5. Vasco da Gama ()

Rice. 6. The opening of the sea route to India, the route of Vasco da Gama ()

Simultaneously with Portugal, the search for a new sea route to India began Spain, which at that time was ruled Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. Christopher Columbus(Fig. 7) proposed a new plan - to reach India, moving west, across the Atlantic Ocean. Christopher Columbus shared the view that the earth is spherical. On August 3, 1492, Columbus on three caravels "Santa Maria", "Nina" and "Pinta" set off from Spain in search of India (Fig. 8). On October 12, 1492, a shot rang out on the Pinta caravel. This was the signal: the sailors had reached the island they named San Salvador, which in translation means "holy savior." Having explored the island, they went south and discovered two more islands: Haiti (then Hispaniola) and the island of Cuba.

Rice. 7. Christopher Columbus ()

Rice. 8. Route of Christopher Columbus ()

The first expedition of Columbus lasted 225 days and discovered caribbean sea. During the next three expeditions, Columbus discovered the coast of Central America and the northern coast of South America. However, the Spanish crown was not satisfied with the amount of gold that entered the country. Soon Columbus was turned away. He died in 1506 in poverty, confident that he had discovered a new sea route to India. Mainland, discovered by Columbus, originally called West Indies(Western India). Only later the mainland was given the name America.

The rivalry between Spain and Portugal led to the first division of the world in history. AT 1494 was concluded Treaty of Tordesillas, according to which a conditional meridian was drawn along the Atlantic Ocean somewhat west of the Azores. Everything again open lands and the seas to the west of it were to belong to Spain, and to the east to Portugal. However first in the world trip around the world Ferdinand Magellan corrected this document.

Back in 1513, the Spaniard Vasco de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and reached the shores of the Pacific Ocean. He called it then the South Sea. In the autumn of 1519, on five caravels with a team of 253 sailors, Fernand Magellan (Fig. 9) set off on his journey (Fig. 10). His goal was to find a way across the Atlantic Ocean to the Moluccas (Spice Islands). After a year of travel, Magellan's team entered a narrow strait, which was later named Strait of Magellan. After passing through it, Magellan's team managed to enter the previously unknown ocean. This ocean is called Quiet.

Rice. 9. Ferdinand Magellan ()

Rice. 10. The first round-the-world trip of Ferdinand Magellan ()

In March 1521 Magellan's team reached Mariana Islands, and then landed in the Philippines, where Magellan himself died in a skirmish with the locals. His team managed to reach the Moluccas. Three years later, only one ship with 17 sailors returned home. Magellan's first circumnavigation of the world proved that the Earth is spherical.

European exploration of the New World took the form conquests - conquests. Together with the conquest, the resettlement of colonists from Europe to the New World begins.

The great geographical discoveries changed the picture of the world. First, it has been proven that the Earth is spherical. A new continent, America, was also discovered, as well as a new ocean, the Pacific. The outlines of many continents, seas and oceans have been refined. The great geographical discoveries were the first step towards the creation of a world market. They shifted the trade routes. So, trading cities Venice and Genoa lost their key role in European trade. Their place was taken by ocean ports: Lisbon, London, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Seville. Due to the influx of precious metals into Europe from the New World, a price revolution took place. Prices for precious metals fell, while prices for products and raw materials for production rose.

The great geographical discoveries marked the beginning of the colonial redistribution of the world and the dominance of Europeans in Asia, Africa and America. The exploitation of slave labor and trade with the colonies allowed European trading circles to enrich themselves, which became one of the prerequisites for the formation of capitalism. Also, the colonization of America led to the destruction of the oldest American cultures. The great geographical discoveries were one of the causes of the food revolution in Europe. Previously unknown crops were introduced: corn, tomatoes, cocoa beans, potatoes and tobacco.

Bibliography

1. Boytsov, M.A. Magellan's Way: Early Modern Times. History reading book. - M., 2006.
2. Vedyushkin V.A., Burin S.N. Textbook on the history of modern times, grade 7. - M., 2013.
3. Verlinden C., Mathis G. “Conquerors of America. Columbus, Cortes. Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 1997.
4. Lange P.V. Like the sun ... The life of Ferdinand Magellan and the first circumnavigation of the world. - M.: Progress, 1988.
; Painter
5. What discovery is Ferdinand Magellan famous for, and what continent was discovered by Christopher Columbus?
6. Do you know any other famous navigators and the territories they discovered?

Man is a rational being - Homo sapiens, and the craving for discoveries and the indefatigable desire to develop are the "costs" of his genetics. Throughout history, people have explored something. A separate milestone in the development of mankind is the Epoch of the Great Geographical Discoveries. Its beginning is associated with the name of the third son of the King of Portugal, Joan the First - Henry. Enrico was never a navigator, but he was not known as a life-saver. Although the crowned offspring did not sail further than Gibraltar, it was he who, in the 15th century (1420), invited all cartographers and shipbuilders known at that time to the court, ordering the construction of unprecedented ships - caravels. The sailing equipment of the ships was supposed to allow them to sail against the wind.

The first sea expeditions, consisting exclusively of caravels, were sent to western shores Africa, Madeira and the Canary Islands. No, the navigators were not faced with the task of discovering unseen lands. They were supposed to replenish the Portuguese treasury with gold, spices, ivory. Portuguese navigators methodically explored the northern and west coast Africa. At the end of the 15th century (1484), Diego Cano reached the equator and crossed it.

Travel routes of sailors of the era of the great geographical discoveries

A little later (1488), Bartolomeo Diaz was lucky enough to reach the Indian Ocean from the west, rounding the southern part of the African continent. Upon his return, a triumph awaited him. This is the first stage in the development of the sea route to India and the beginning of the Age of Discovery.

Interesting fact. Among the sailors who, together with Diaz, made this landmark sea voyage, was the brother of the notorious Christopher Columbus - Bartolomeo.

Navigators of the Age of Discovery

The era of great geographical discoveries - 15-17 centuries - during this period, the "sea wolves" of Europe managed to tell mankind about hitherto unknown lands and lay waterways to the coast of Africa, discover America and Australia, explore Asia and Oceania. Who are they, navigators of the era of geographical discoveries?

Marco Polo - one of the first travelers of the Age of Discovery

Spanish conquistador Vasco Nunez de Balboa. He had the high title of adelantado. It is to him that the honor of being the founder of the first European city in America. It was the glorious hidalgo who was the first European navigator to set foot on the land of the Pacific Islands. He was accompanied by 190 Spaniards and 600 Indians (tribal identity unknown) who acted as porters.

Furrowing the seas and oceans in search of prey, the conquistadors "along the way" discovered new lands

The Portuguese Vasco da Gama is a representative of an ancient noble family, mathematician and astronomer. fate and will the mighty of the world this made him one of the most famous navigators of the era of great geographical discoveries. He has the honor of being the discoverer of the sea route to India. The expedition lasted two years (1497-1499), its path lay around the entire African continent. Strictly speaking, Vasco da Gama was simply "appointed" as a navigator who needed to find a sea route to India. King Manuel I of Portugal did everything to make the expedition successful. Subsequently, da Gama held very honorary positions - governor and even viceroy of Portuguese India. It was not in vain that he agreed to the very tempting offer of the king.

Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese navigator who first reached the shores of India

The Genoese Christopher Columbus is a "favorite" among the navigators of the Age of Discovery and a very mysterious person: different sources indicate conflicting dates of his birth and death. Presumably - 1451-1506. Several cities in Europe claim the "title" of the homeland of the navigator. There is no exact data on the origin and education of the discoverer and one of the most famous heroes of the Age of Discovery. However, this did not prevent historians from writing hundreds of scientific papers about his expedition to the West Indies, and biographers created several "legends" for him. In a word, solid mysteries that abound in the Age of Discovery. One thing is clear, namely, a number of islands in the Caribbean.

Having set off on three caravels in search of India, Christopher Columbus "accidentally" discovered America, calling it the West Indies.

A citizen of Castile and Leon, Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) is considered not only the most significant figure of the Age of Discovery, but one of the most famous navigator of the planet. He made the first trip around the world (1519-1522), was both its initiator and commander. Magellan served as the page of the king's wife, Leonora, and was her favorite, so he so quickly managed to get the funds to organize the expedition, which pretty much replenished the royal treasury.

The Spaniard Ferdinand Magellan was the first to travel around the world, writing his name in the history of the Age of Discovery

Magellan's expedition was not without losses. Initially, it consisted of 256 (280) people and 5 ships, only one Victoria and 18 crew members reached the house. A little later, another 18 arrived, captured by the Portuguese. Magellan discovered the strait, which is named after him, and was the first on the planet to cross the Pacific Ocean. A seamount, a spacecraft, a species of penguin, a crater on the moon, and an entire galaxy in space are named after him.

The Florentine merchant Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512) took not only a worthy place among the discoverers of the Age of Discovery, but an entire continent was named after him. How did it happen that a simple merchant became a navigator and discoverer? After all, he, in principle, did not reveal anything? According to one of the versions of scientists, Amerigo simply asked for it on an expedition to Alonso de Ojeda (1499). Another version testifies that he participated in the journey of Columbus (1492) to the shores of America. Why was Amerigo long considered the discoverer of America? Only because Vespucci was the first to think that unknown islands- not Asia at all, but a completely new and hitherto unknown mainland.

Amerigo Vespucci was the first to suggest that the West Indies is not India at all, but an unknown continent. That's why America was named after him.

The national hero of Russia and the famous Russian discoverer - Ermak Timofeevich (1525-1584) was not a navigator. He did not find new continents, he discovered and conquered Western Siberia for Russia. He and his Cossack squad walked along the path where the Trans-Siberian Railway runs today. The expedition was created at the request of the Stroganov merchants and on the orders of Ivan the Terrible. The Long March began in 1581.

Interesting fact. It was the gift of John to Yermak - chain mail, and became the reason for his tragic death. It was found in the Irtysh many years after the death of the Cossack chieftain, today it is stored in the Armory.

The era of great geographical discoveries is still a lot of names and mysteries and mysteries associated with them.

In contact with

Period of great geographical discoveries began in the 15th century and continued until the 17th century. During this period, the inhabitants of Europe, mainly through sea routes, discovered and explored new lands, and also began to colonize them. During this period, new continents were discovered - Australia, North and South America, trade routes were laid from Europe to the countries of Asia, Africa, and the islands of Oceania. Navigators played a leading role in the development of new lands Spain and Portugal.

The impetus for the great geographical discoveries, in addition to scientific interest and curiosity, was an economic interest, and sometimes a direct thirst for profit. In those days, distant India seemed to Europeans a fabulous country in placers of silver, gold and precious stones. In addition, Indian spices, brought by caravan routes to Europe by Arab merchants, cost a fortune in Europe. Therefore, the Europeans sought to reach India and trade with the Indians directly, without the mediation of Arab merchants. Or rob them...

In 1492 Christopher Columbus, who was looking for a direct sea route to India, America was discovered. Shortly before this, the Portuguese found a sea route to the Indian Ocean and reached it for the first time. But the desired India remained all the same unattainable. A whole century after Columbus Vasco de Gama yet managed to be the first of the Europeans to reach India by sea, rounding the African mainland. And soon Marco Polo reached China.

Completely destroyed the idea of ​​​​believers about a flat earth Ferdinand Magellan, who made the world's first trip around the world on his ships in 1522. Now it has become clear even to the most backward inhabitants of the Earth that the Earth is round and is a sphere.

Great geographical discoveries made great cultural exchange between different countries and civilizations. It also changed the biological balance of the planet. In addition to getting to know culture, traditions and inventions different countries, Europeans also transported animals, plants, slaves around the planet. Races mixed, some plants and animals crowded out others. Europeans brought smallpox to America, to which there was no immunity local residents, and they died en masse from the disease.