Did the Chinese discovery America years before Christopher Columbus? Learn about the evidence that supports the claim that the Chinese beat Columbus. See more »

Is the extent of your knowledge about Marco Polo that you're supposed to answer "Polo" when someone swimming in a pool with you yells out "Marco"? Thought so. Well, strap in for a bumpy trek down the Silk Road with one of Europe's greatest explorers. See more »

Cook, James (1728 - 1779), a British navigator. Captain Cook accurately charted vast regions of the South Pacific; provided a basis for England's claim to Australia and New Zealand; and developed a diet that prevented scurvy among seamen. See more »

Cabeza de Vaca, Alvar Nunez (1490 - 1557), a Spanish explorer. He was a leader in the expedition of Panfilo de Narvaez to Florida in 1528. See more »

Magellan, Ferdinand (Portuguese: Fernao de Magalhaes)(1480? - 1521), a Portuguese navigator. See more »

Solíis, Juan Di­az de (1470 - 1516), a Spanish navigator and explorer. After many years of exploration in Latin America, Solíis succeeded Amerigo Vespucci as chief pilot of Spain in 1512. See more »

Tasman, Abel Janszoon (1603 - 1659), a Dutch navigator. Exploring the Pacific Ocean for the Dutch East India Company, he discovered Tasmania (which he named Van Diemen's Land) and New Zealand in 1642. See more »

Vespucci, Amerigo, (Latinized form: Americus Vespucius, ) (1451 - 1512), the Italian navigator for whom the continents of the Western Hemisphere are named. See more »

Dias (or Diaz), Bartholomeu(1450 - 1500), a Portuguese explorer. He discovered the Cape of Good Hope, near the southern tip of the African continent. See more »

Challenger Expedition, an exploring trip made in 1872 - 76 to study the ocean bottom and undersea life. See more »