Christopher Columbus is widely credited with discovering America in 1492, when he landed in the Bahamas.

The primary motivation for European exploration of the Americas was economic gain, as explorers sought new sources of wealth and resources.

Hernán Cortés is known for his conquest of the Aztec Empire in Mexico in the early 16th century.

Ferdinand Magellan is credited with discovering the Pacific Ocean during his circumnavigation of the globe in the early 16th century.

Christopher Columbus sailed on the ship Santa Maria during his first voyage to America in 1492.

England established the first permanent settlement in North America at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.

René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, claimed the Mississippi River Valley for France in the late 17th century.

Lewis and Clark are known for their expedition to the Pacific Northwest of North America in the early 19th century.

Francisco Pizarro is known for his conquest of the Inca Empire in Peru in the early 16th century.

Spain established the first permanent settlement in South America at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in the early 16th century.

Pedro Álvares Cabral is credited with discovering Brazil in 1500.

Francisco de Orellana is known for his exploration of the Amazon River in the early 16th century.

John Smith is known for founding the colony of Jamestown in 1607.

France established the first permanent settlement in Canada at Quebec City in the early 17th century.

Ferdinand Magellan is credited with discovering the Strait of Magellan in 1520.