Final answer:
Giovanni da Verrazano thought that the large lake he discovered in North America was actually the Hudson River.
Step-by-step explanation:
Giovanni da Verrazano explored the coast of North America in the early 16th century. He thought that the large body of water now known as the Hudson River was a lake. This is because when he first encountered it, he sailed inland and thought it was closed off from the ocean.
He named it 'Angouleme' after the French king's family name. However, we now know that the Hudson River is a tidal estuary that connects to the Atlantic Ocean.
Learn more about Giovanni da Verrazano and the Hudson River