European Discovery

Greenland was discovered and settled by Norsemen (Vikings) in the 980's. Norse sagas of voyages from Greenland to North America about 1000 were confirmed in 1963 by discovery of the ruins of a Norse settlement on the coast of Newfoundland. It is possible that there were Viking settlements on the New England coast and in the interior of the continent. The Norse discoveries, however, were little known to the rest of Europe, and were soon forgotten.

In the early 15th century there was a revival of the geographer Ptolemy's theory that the earth is round. Throughout the century Portugal, then a major maritime power, sent ships exploring to the west. Some may have reached South America and the cod fisheries off Newfoundland, as legend suggests. The Portuguese king, however, refused to sponsor Christopher Columbus in a westward voyage to seek Asia. Columbus was financed by the king and queen of Spain, and in 1492 discovered the West Indies.