Answer:
Ferdinand Magellan, whose full name was Fernão de Magalhães (c. 1480 – 1521), was a Portuguese explorer who is most famous for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the Earth. Although he was Portuguese by birth, he sailed under the flag of Spain during his historic voyage. Here's a brief overview of his life and achievements:
Early Life: Magellan was born into a noble Portuguese family around 1480, although his exact birthplace is still debated. He grew up in Portugal and gained experience as a sailor and soldier, serving in various Portuguese military expeditions.
Search for a Western Route to the Spice Islands: In the early 16th century, European nations were eager to find a direct sea route to the lucrative Spice Islands (modern-day Indonesia) in order to bypass the Ottoman Empire-controlled land routes. Magellan became convinced that such a route could be found by sailing westward.
Spanish Sponsorship: Failing to secure support from the Portuguese crown for his westward voyage, Magellan turned to Spain. In 1519, he received funding and a fleet of five ships from King Charles I of Spain (later Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) to embark on his expedition.
Voyage of Circumnavigation: Magellan's expedition, which began in September 1519, became the first known successful attempt to circumnavigate the Earth. The fleet consisted of five ships: the Trinidad (Magellan's flagship), the San Antonio, the Concepción, the Victoria, and the Santiago. The journey was long and arduous, with numerous challenges and hardships.
Discoveries and Challenges: Along the way, Magellan's expedition discovered the strait that now bears his name, the Strait of Magellan, which provided a passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. This discovery allowed them to reach the Spice Islands by sailing westward.
Death: Tragically, Ferdinand Magellan did not live to see the completion of his historic voyage. He was killed in the Philippines in 1521 during a skirmish with the indigenous people on the island of Mactan. Despite his death, the expedition continued under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano, and one ship, the Victoria, successfully returned to Spain in 1522, completing the circumnavigation.
Magellan's expedition had a profound impact on our understanding of the Earth's geography and the vastness of the world's oceans. It also opened up new trade routes and paved the way for further exploration and colonization by European powers. Ferdinand Magellan's name is forever associated with one of the greatest achievements in the history of exploration: the first voyage around the globe.