Magellan
Early Life
Ferdinand Magellan was born in 1480 in northern Portugal, in a town called Sabrosa. He was born into a family of minor Portuguese nobility, which afforded him a good education. His early years were spent at the royal court of Portugal, where he served as a page to the queen.
Career in Portugal
Magellan's maritime career began when he joined the Portuguese fleet that sailed to the East Indies in 1505. He spent several years in the East Indies, participating in several battles and gaining experience in naval warfare and navigation. In 1513, he was wounded in a battle in Morocco, which left him with a permanent limp.
Voyage Around the World
Magellan is best known for his circumnavigation of the globe, which began in 1519. He set sail from Spain with five ships, aiming to find a western route to the Spice Islands. The voyage was fraught with challenges, including mutinies, storms, and difficult navigation. Despite these challenges, Magellan's expedition reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1520, becoming the first Europeans to sail from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Death and Legacy
Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines in 1521. Despite his death, his crew continued the voyage, successfully circumnavigating the globe and returning to Spain in 1522. Magellan's voyage proved that the world could be circumnavigated by sea and paved the way for future global exploration.
Magellan's voyage had a profound impact on navigation. His expedition proved that the world was round, not flat, and that it was possible to sail around it. This discovery opened up new possibilities for trade and exploration, and marked the beginning of the Age of Exploration.