Ferdinand Magellan

Follow the route of Ferdinand Magellan a Portuguese explorer who became famous for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. His journey is considered one of the greatest navigational feats in history despite Magellan not completing the entire voyage himself.

Magellan sought to find a westward route to the Spice Islands (modern-day Maluku Islands in Indonesia) bypassing the heavily controlled routes around Africa which were dominated by the Portuguese.

After being rejected by the Portuguese king, Magellan moved to Spain and convinced King Charles I (later Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) to sponsor his expedition.

Magellan set sail from Seville, Spain, on September 20, 1519, with five ships: Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepción, Victoria, and Santiago.

In October 1520, Magellan discovered and navigated a passage to the Pacific Ocean at the southern tip of South America, now known as the Straits of Magellan.

His fleet then crossed the Pacific Ocean, a gruelling journey with little food and fresh water, reaching the Philippines in March 1521.

Magellan was killed on April 27, 1521, in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines, during a conflict with local chieftain Lapu-Lapu. The expedition continued under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano. The ship Victoria successfully returned to Spain on September 6, 1522, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth.

The expedition provided clear evidence that the Earth is round and significantly larger than previously thought.

1. Seville, Spain (September 20, 1519)
   • The fleet of five ships set sail from Seville, traveling down the Guadalquivir River to the port of Sanlúcar de Barrameda.
2. Sanlúcar de Barrameda (September 20, 1519)
   • Official departure point from Spain.

3. Canary Islands (September 26, 1519)
   • Brief stop for supplies and repairs.
4. Cape Verde Islands (November 3, 1519)
   • Another stop for provisions before crossing the Atlantic.
5. Coast of Brazil (December 13, 1519)
   • The fleet arrived on the coast of Brazil, near present-day Rio de Janeiro.
6. Rio de la Plata (January 10, 1520)
   • The expedition explored the estuary of the Rio de la Plata, but it was not the passage they were seeking.
7. San Julián (March 31 – August 1520)
   • Wintering period in the Bay of San Julián in Patagonia. During this time, a mutiny occurred, which Magellan suppressed.

8. Straits of Magellan (October 21 – November 28, 1520)
   • The fleet navigated through the straits, a treacherous and narrow passage at the southern tip of South America.

9. Pacific Ocean Crossing (November 28, 1520 – March 6, 1521)
   • After exiting the straits, the fleet embarked on a long and arduous crossing of the Pacific Ocean.

10. Mariana Islands (March 6, 1521)
    • The fleet made landfall at Guam in the Mariana Islands. They had a brief and hostile encounter with the Chamorro people.
11. Philippines (March 16, 1521)
    • The fleet reached the island of Homonhon in the Philippines. Magellan established friendly relations with local rulers and converted some to Christianity.
12. Mactan, Philippines (April 27, 1521)
    • Magellan was killed in the Battle of Mactan while trying to subdue the local chieftain Lapu-Lapu.

13. Brunei (July 1521)
    • The expedition stopped at Brunei on the island of Borneo for supplies.
14. Ternate, Moluccas (November 6, 1521)
    • The fleet arrived at the Spice Islands, fulfilling their primary mission.

15. Timor (January 1522)
    • The expedition left the Moluccas and headed towards the Indian Ocean.
16. Cape of Good Hope (May 1522)
    • The ship Victoria, now the only remaining ship, rounded the Cape of Good Hope.
17. Cape Verde Islands (July 9, 1522)
    • Final stop for provisions before the last leg of the journey.
18. Sanlúcar de Barrameda (September 6, 1522)
    • Victoria returned to Spain, completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth.
19. Seville (September 8, 1522)
    • Official end of the expedition, with only 18 of the original 270 crew members returning.

1. Seville
2. Sanlúcar de Barrameda
3. Canary Islands
4. Cape Verde Islands
5. Coast of Brazil
6. Rio de la Plata
7. San Julián
8. Straits of Magellan
9. Pacific Ocean
10. Mariana Islands
11. Philippines
12. Mactan
13. Brunei
14. Ternate
15. Timor
16. Cape of Good Hope
17. Cape Verde Islands
18. Sanlúcar de Barrameda
19. Seville