The Age of Discovery

The Age of Discovery began around 500 years ago. European sailors set out on long sea voyages. They wanted to find new trade routes and lands. Their trips changed maps and connected the world in new ways.

Famous Explorers

Christopher Columbus sailed west and reached the Americas in 1492. Vasco da Gama found a sea route to India. Ferdinand Magellan's crew was the first to sail all the way around the world. These trips were long and dangerous.

An old world map drawn by a mapmaker hundreds of years ago.
An old world map drawn by a mapmaker hundreds of years ago. (Abraham Ortelius / Wikimedia Commons)

A Changing World

Explorers brought back maps, plants, and animals. New foods like potatoes and tomatoes were shared around the globe. Sadly, the voyages also brought hardship to native peoples. The world became more connected than ever before.

Fun Facts

  • Sailors used the stars and the sun to find their way.
  • Many ships were lost at sea during this time.
  • Magellan's voyage around the world took almost three years.

Did You Know?

Before the Age of Discovery, many Europeans had never seen foods like chocolate, corn, or pineapples!