rdhopkins2
Carpe Diem
Here is one for the BF history fans. Or even a fun activity for the kids.
Select an explorer from the list below (or add your own).
Research your chosen explorer and prepare a summary of what they are famous for (positives and controversies included).
Make it a bit of fun and at the end take those that have done the hard work out to a meal of your explorer’s origin. Or add to the challenge and research a recipe and make it at home.
Let us know how you get on!
Select an explorer from the list below (or add your own).
Research your chosen explorer and prepare a summary of what they are famous for (positives and controversies included).
Make it a bit of fun and at the end take those that have done the hard work out to a meal of your explorer’s origin. Or add to the challenge and research a recipe and make it at home.
| Explorer | Where From | What They Explored / Discovered | Famous For |
| Christopher Columbus | Italy/Spain | Caribbean, Central America | Opened European exploration of the Americas |
| Ferdinand Magellan | Portugal/Spain | Global circumnavigation | First successful circumnavigation (crew completed it) |
| Vasco da Gama | Portugal | Route around Africa to India | Opened direct sea route to Asia |
| Marco Polo | Venice | Silk Road, China | Detailed accounts of Asia in medieval Europe |
| Zheng He | China | Indian Ocean, East Africa | Massive Ming treasure fleet expeditions |
| James Cook | Britain | Pacific, Australia, NZ | Accurate mapping, scientific voyages |
| Ernest Shackleton | Britain/Ireland | Antarctica | Endurance survival and leadership |
| Roald Amundsen | Norway | Arctic & Antarctic | First to reach South Pole; NW Passage |
| Hernán Cortés | Spain | Mexico | Conquest of Aztec Empire |
| Francisco Pizarro | Spain | Peru | Conquest of Inca Empire |
| Ibn Battuta | Morocco | Africa, Middle East, India, China | Extensive medieval travel journals |
| Leif Erikson | Norway/Iceland | North America (Vinland) | First European to reach North America |
| Lewis & Clark | USA | Western North America | Mapping Louisiana Territory to Pacific |
| Amerigo Vespucci | Italy/Spain | South America | Recognised Americas as a new continent |
| Henry Hudson | England | Arctic, North America | Hudson River, Hudson Bay exploration |
| David Livingstone | Scotland | Central Africa | Mapping Africa; search for Nile’s source |
| Francisco de Orellana | Spain | Amazon Basin | First to travel entire Amazon River |
| Robert Falcon Scott | Britain | Antarctica | South Pole expedition (1912) |
| Alexander von Humboldt | Prussia | Latin America | Founder of biogeography; scientific exploration |
| Jacques Cartier | France | St. Lawrence River, Canada | Establishing French claims in North America |
Let us know how you get on!
