Biography A

I am a Spanish explorer who explored much of Central America. I also helped conquer the island of Cuba for Spain. I was given the job of conquering modern day Mexico. When I arrived in Mexico I met with the Aztec leader Montezuma II and was given many gifts before I took him hostage. In 1521 I conquered the city of Tenochtitlan and in its place built Mexico City. After this I explored Central America and tried to find a water route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. During this time I also discovered and named California.

Biography B

I was born into a noble family in Leon, Spain and served as a page in the royal court. There are rumors that I may have travelled with Christopher Columbus on his second visit to the “New World” in 1493. I served as governor of the eastern province of Hispaniola around the year 1500. I was appointed governor of Puerto Rico but quickly lost the job to competing families. In the year 1513 I explored and named what is now known as Florida.

Biography C

I was an explorer and navigator who worked for the Portuguese Royal Family. I was hired by the Portuguese to find a route east to India via water. I sailed down the coast of Africa and rounded the Cape of Good Hope. I was the first European to sail to India and I established a trading fort near Calicut. I also established trading ports in Africa as well near modern-day Mozambique.

Biography D

I was born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. Almost every country in Europe turned me down before the Spanish royal family decided to fund my voyage. My goal was to find a shorter route to the East Indies by sailing west, instead of around Africa. I am responsible for the beginning of colonization in the Americas.

Biography E

I was born in Portugal in 1394 and was a member of the royal family. Even though I am remembered as an explorer and a navigator I didn’t do much of it myself. I funded trips that expanded European knowledge of the world, including Africa. I started a school for navigation as well which helped to build a broader knowledge base for European’s who wanted to explore the world.

Biography F

I was born in Portugal but I am most known for the work I did for the Spanish King and Queen. In 1519 I set out to find a trade route to the Spice Islands. During this voyage I sailed around South America and across the Pacific Ocean. It is believed I was killed, in battle, in the Philippines before making it back to Spain. Even though I never made it back to Spain I am credited with being the first person to circumnavigate the globe.

Biography G

I was a Spanish explorer and conquistador in the 1500s. In the early 1500s I became the interim governor of Panama. I was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean and I claimed it and all of its shores for the King of Spain. Even though I discovered the Pacific I was already being replaced as governor of Panama. The new governor was suspicious and jealous of me and charged me with treason. I was beheaded on January 12, 1519 as a traitor.

Biography H

I am the only explorer listed here who travelled mainly over land. I was born and raised in Venice. I travelled across the Middle East and Asia and made it all of the way to China. I was also a guest in the court of the Khan’s in Eastern China. I wrote a book about my travels as well. I was a special envoy for the Khan’s and got to explore many areas of Asia that Europeans had never seen before.

Biography I

I was a Chinese explorer and diplomat who travelled all over the Indian Ocean. I had a fleet that made Columbus’ ship look like a paddleboat. In my fleet I had over 30,000 sailors and soldiers. I established trade with peoples in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. I was also a devout Muslim and visited the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.