South America
The exploration of South America was often referred to as the ' Exploration of the New World' by explorers.
In an attempt to reach Asia, Columbus stumbled onto South America and its surrounding islands in 1492. He landed on present day Haiti, Dominican Republic and Cuba.Portuguese explorer Pedro Alvares Cabral landed on the east coast of Brazil in 1500. Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian explorer made three voyages to South America with other explorers such as Alonso de Ojeda, Concalo Coelho during the 1400's and 1500's. Vasco Nunez de Balboa explored the northern parts of the continent. During his globe-circling expedition, Ferdinand Magellan reached present day Argentina in 1520 and passed through a small water body at the tip of South America, now known as the Strait of Magellan. Hernando Cortes sailed from Cuba to what is now Mexico in 1520.
(see Magellan's explorations ; Vespucci's voyages;Balboa's voyages)
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