Whose fleet circumnavigated the globe in the 1520s, sailing through the Strait of Magellan and ending with a return to Spain?

Whose fleet circumnavigated the globe in the 1520s, sailing through the Strait of Magellan and ending with a return to Spain?

• A. James Cook
• B. Christopher Columbus
• C. Vasco da Gama
• D. Ferdinand Magellan

Answer: (D)

This question tests understanding of the first voyage that proved people could sail around the world. The expedition began in 1519 under Ferdinand Magellan, sailing from Spain. They moved through the Atlantic, navigated the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip of South America, crossed the Pacific, and eventually returned to Spain after looping around Africa and across the Indian Ocean. Although Magellan died along the way, his fleet completed the journey under Juan Sebastián Elcano, making it the first successful circumnavigation in the 1520s. That’s why Ferdinand Magellan is the best answer. The other explorers did not achieve a world circumnavigation during this period: James Cook did so in the 18th century, Columbus opened up transatlantic contact but did not circumnavigate, and Vasco da Gama found a sea route to India but did not sail around the world.

This question tests understanding of the first voyage that proved people could sail around the world. The expedition began in 1519 under Ferdinand Magellan, sailing from Spain. They moved through the Atlantic, navigated the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip of South America, crossed the Pacific, and eventually returned to Spain after looping around Africa and across the Indian Ocean. Although Magellan died along the way, his fleet completed the journey under Juan Sebastián Elcano, making it the first successful circumnavigation in the 1520s. That’s why Ferdinand Magellan is the best answer. The other explorers did not achieve a world circumnavigation during this period: James Cook did so in the 18th century, Columbus opened up transatlantic contact but did not circumnavigate, and Vasco da Gama found a sea route to India but did not sail around the world.