The early 1500s were an exciting time of exploration and discovery. During this time, a young nobleman named Ferdinand Magellan became excited over the idea of exploring new lands.
Magellan told King Charles Ⅰ of Spain his plan to look for the Spice Islands. . On September 21, 1519, Magellan and 240 men sailed from Spain in five ships: Concepcion, San Antonio, Santiago, Trinidad, and Victoria. . He sailed along the coast of South America looking for a place to sail through to the other side of the land. He found a passage near the tip of South America. This passage led from the Atlantic Ocean to another ocean. Today this passage is called the Strait of Magellan. Magellan named this other ocean the Pacific Ocean, because the waters were so calm.
, he had only three ships left. The San Antonio had recently sailed back to Spain. The Santiago had been wrecked in a storm.
Magellan expected to find the Spice Islands soon after entering the Pacific Ocean. But the three ships sailed west day after day. Many sailors died of hunger or disease. Finally, they reached the Philippine Islands. .
, he is known as the first person to sail around the world. It was his voyage that first proved that the Earth is round.
| A. It was here that Magellan was killed in 1521 B. By the time Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean C. The king agreed to give Magellan ships and supplies D. Although Magellan did not live to complete the voyage E. Magellan sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to South America |
