He was born in 1480 into a family of minor nobility. He is a page at the court of Portugal then goes to the arms sector. In 1505, having become an officer, he took part in Francisco de Almeida's expedition to the East Indies, a first military and maritime experience which gave him a taste for travel and exploration. One of its main objectives is to reach the Moluccas Islands, whose main wealth consists in the production of spices, highly appreciated by Europeans. A scientist and a soldier, he was made captain in 1510 and set out to conquer India and Malacca. His great project is to discover a new route to India. He then offered his services to the King of Spain in 1517. On September 20, 1519, Magellan left Spain with 5 ships. At the end of a complicated crossing, the navigator ends up reaching a strait towards the western ocean, a strait which he will name with his name and which is still currently known as the Strait of Magellan.
After more than a month, the crew arrives in the ocean, which Magellan calls Pacific because of the tranquility of the waters. On March 16, 1521, he discovered the Philippines and then the island of Cebu. After converting the natives, Magellan sets out to help their leader impose his dominion on the island of Mactan. He died in combat on this same island, in the Philippines. Only one of the ships will manage to return to Spain, thus carrying out the first circumnavigation (around the world).
1480 - 1521
Status
Explorer