History & Geography

Juan Sebastián Elcano was the commander who completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth started by Ferdinand Magellan (who died en route and never completed the circumnavigation).

Elcano had been one of the mutineers in Patagonia and spent 5 months in chains, but later, after the disastrous circumstances surrounding Magellan’s death, Elcano took command and led the remains of the expedition home. He was given high honours by Spain and a coat of arms indicating that he had undertaken the first circumnavigation. However, his name was later eclipsed in popularity by Magellan.

This resource examines the life of this relatively unknown explorer who was in fact one of the first people to travel around the whole Earth.

Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón was the first Spaniard to attempt to settle on the continent of North America. He took 600 colonists (including 100 African slaves) to an area today in the US state of South Carolina. Unfortunately the attempted colony was dogged by illness and a lack of food. Ayllón himself died and the colony experienced North America’s first slave revolt. Very few survivors made it back to the Caribbean 3 months after they had left to found the colony.

This resource examines the life and contribution of Lucas Vázquez de Ayllón and his ill-fated attempt to settle in North America.

Marco Polo is famous for his 13^th century travels to China, recorded by a novelist whom he met in prison. Part of the ‘Explorers’ series, this resource examines the life of Marco Polo, his travels in Asia and his contribution to the European understanding of Asia in the Middle Ages.

Martin Behaim was a German scientist, navigator and cartographer who accompanied the Portuguese expedition to West Africa, led by Diogo Cão.  This resource describes Behaim's life and achievements.