Ferdinand Magellan


Ferdinand Magellan (Portuguese: Fernão de Magalhães, IPA pronunciation: //; or Hernando de Magallanes; Spring 1480–April 27, 1521, Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines) was a Portuguese-born maritime explorer who, at the service of Spain, attempted to find a westward route to the Spice Islands of Indonesia. This voyage became known as the first successful attempt at world circumnavigation. He did not complete his final, westward voyage; he was killed during the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines. As he died farther west than the Spice Islands, which he had visited on earlier voyages from the west, he became one of the first individuals to cross all the meridians of the globe. He was the first person to lead an expedition sailing westward from Europe to Asia and to cross the Pacific Ocean.