Ferdinand Magellan

Navigator who initiated first circumnavigation proving Earth's spherical shape

Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521) altered global geography through his 1519-1522 expedition that completed the first Earth circumnavigation. Although Magellan died in the Philippines, his crew's return with 18 survivors demonstrated the planetary scale of Earth and practical sea routes connecting continents.

The voyage discovered the Strait of Magellan, mapped the Pacific Ocean's vastness, and established the International Date Line concept. Magellan's use of celestial navigation and multi-ship coordination set standards for subsequent explorers like Drake and Cook.

His expedition's commercial impact included opening the Spanish spice trade route via westward passage, bypassing Portuguese-controlled eastern routes. This triggered European colonization of the Pacific and redefined global trade networks.