Remember how Neil Armstrong uttered the famous phrase, calling his first step on the lunar surface a giant leap for mankind?But long before such feats performed great travelers of the Middle Ages.For example, the discovery of Magellan became a real revolution in the way people of his planet and caused them to question the inviolability of the dogmas of the Catholic Church.So who was the man who proved that the Earth is round, open, where the Strait of Magellan on the map?What impact has it opened for the development of science?To find answers to these questions, it is necessary to get acquainted with the historical facts, most of which are known for Antonio Pigafetta - Italian navigator who participated in the first world tour.
Ferdinand Magellan: biography
Unfortunately, no one can say exactly where he was born the famous traveler, the first European obognuvshy the South American continent.However, most researchers believe that this event took place October 17, 1480 in Porto, or Sabrosa.At the same time, according to historical documents, in adolescence he served as a page at the Fernand Queen Leonora Aviz, so it is assumed that he had aristocratic origins.
When Magellan was 25 years old, he went to India in the squadron Francisco Almeida.Served their 5 years, Fernand trying to return home, but the will of the case forced to stay in India, where the colonial authorities sought favors and gaining great prestige among the military.Thus, the future turns out to be a great traveler in Lisbon only in 1512.And is involved in a war with Morocco, during which his autocratic actions angers King Manuel First.During an audience with the monarch Magellan asks permission to go to the naval expedition, but is refused.At the same time, Manuel first gives him to understand that he would not mind if he will serve another overlord.Interestingly, when the King of Portugal know that the future opening of Magellan glorify Spain, he gave him such advice?
What preceded the first world tour
offended Magellan leaves home and goes to Spain to buy a house in Seville, married, had a son.Pick up useful connections, Magellan becomes Financing Organizations marine expeditions - "House of contract", but there refused to allocate money for the implementation of his project to find a western route to the Spice Islands.At the same time, a personal interest shows Juan de Aranda, which requires 1/8 of the profits from the possible, and King Charles I of Spain gives permission for the equipment of five ships.Now you know who he was before his famous voyage of Magellan.What he discovered, it will be described hereinafter.
Magellan's trip around the world: the expected economic benefits
Although the discovery of America by Columbus made Spain a superpower, yet the main purpose of the expedition, namely the achievement by the western coast of India, has not been achieved.But it promised huge economic benefits!In particular, so it would be proved that the famous Spice Islands, departed Portugal's Treaty of Tordesillas, are "Spanish" South Sea.In turn, this meant that the expected opening of Magellan could significantly expand the possession of Charles the First, and to put an end to the monopoly of Portuguese trade in spices, which are then valued its weight in gold.
Travel to Brazil and Patagonia
heroic epic sea Magellan began September 20, 1519, when five ships, the supply of food for 2 years ahead, came from San Lucar.Total participated in the expedition to the 280 people, 100 of which were equipped soldiers.In addition, the ships were equipped with 10 cannons and 50 arquebus.The main vessel - "Trinidad" - and the caravel "Santiago" managed by Magellan and another Portuguese, Juan Serrania.The remaining three ships left in the campaign, led by the Spanish highborn gentleman, have agreed to organize a revolt if they would think that Commander Fernand astray.
overcome with great difficulty the Atlantic Ocean, 29 November Magellan's expedition reached the coast of Brazil and began to explore the shore of La Plata, hoping that this is the strait, through which you can get to the "South Sea".After checking the error of this assumption, the squadron proceeded further south, along the coast of the South American continent, encountering along the way the penguin, took them by the natives.Wandering lasted until the end of March 1420, when Magellan decided to stand up for the winter, and cut back on rations crew.During the winter the Spaniards met with local residents who walked wound on the leg hay.And they called Patagonians (bolshenogimi) and their country of Patagonia.
Strait of Magellan 21 October 1520 expedition ships are the narrow strait.Infiltrating sent ships "San Antonio" and "Concepcion", which miraculously avoided death during a sudden gust of the storm.However, as they say, there would be a blessing in disguise.At a time when the tide carried the ship to the shore, they were in a narrow passage, which studies have shown that it is salty water, and the auction does not reach the shore.Both ships returned to Magellan and reported the good news that the sea route to "South Sea" is found, and many years later, it was designated as the Strait of Magellan on the world map.Unfortunately, the discovery of any moment in history, not centuries later could not bring any benefit to humanity from an economic point of view, because this path is extremely long and dangerous for shipping.However, it gave a huge boost to the development of sciences such as cartography and geography.
island of Tierra del Fuego, open
Magellan discovered the strait south of the expedition sighted land on which night the lights lit up.Magellan mistakenly assumed it was the northern tip of Terra Australis Incognita - the South of the continent - and named it Tierra del Fuego.As it turned out, it was the archipelago of 40 000 islands and islets.Thus, the question: "What did Ferdinand Magellan?", "What's open?"You can answer as well be called, and Tierra del Fuego.Today, everyone knows that separates the archipelago from the mainland by the Strait of Magellan, and the largest of its islands - Isla Grande - is the southernmost city of the world - Ushuaia.
Opening Marianas
overcome Strait for 38 days, the ships of the expedition went into the ocean and swam about 17 000 km before the first desert island, who met on their way.The sailors were surprised, because before that it was assumed that America is not far from the shores of Asia.Then Magellan realized that revealed to the world the true relationship between the land and waters of the oceans, as well as give people an idea about the size of Earth.Sticks to the ground failed, and they continued their journey until they reached the island of Guam, who belongs to the Mariana Islands.It turned out that the locals had no idea of private property, and therefore tried to walk away with the ships any items that came across his arm.That is why the Spaniards called the island Landrones, which translates as thieves.There travelers stocked with food and fresh water, and went on their way.
Opening of the Philippine Islands
Since it was obvious that the expedition is already in the Eastern Hemisphere, Magellan, fearing encounters with the Portuguese tried to stay away from the water, which hosted the maritime waterways.Soon his ships reached the unknown islands.It was decided to call them archipelago of St.Lazarus, and later they were renamed the Philippine Islands.For drop-off was chosen Homonhom, so the answer to the question: "What is the first island open Magellan in Asia?", It should be pointed at him.
Death traveler
Today everyone knows what the earth opened Magellan.However, few know the details of his death.
So, I met a person's death, the first of the men managed to circumnavigate the South American continent?It all started with the fact that the leader of the island of Mactan refused to submit to rulers of neighboring island of Cebu Humabonu who swore allegiance to the Spanish crown, and even baptized, together with his family and nobles approximate.Magellan decided to show the locals that Europeans appreciate and protect their vassals, and went to pacify rebellious maktantsev.But he did not calculate that the natives had time to learn the techniques of war Europeans have not treated them as inhabitants of heaven.In addition, the military expedition of Magellan was ill-prepared, and the Spaniards did not consider that their ships will not be able to get close enough to the shore.Almost immediately after the start of combat troops Magellan has suffered great damage as native soldiers were aiming their spears into unprotected armor leg of the Spanish soldiers, and when they tried to get to their ships, they began to kill with arrows.The same fate befell the commander Ferdinand, who, wishing to conceal his retreating comrades, was fighting in the water with a handful of faithful warriors, but was wounded in the face first, and then stabbed spearheads.Since the death of one of the greatest travelers in history.However, he always wrote his name in the annals of world history, and today every schoolboy knows what the Strait of Magellan opened.
further fate of the sailors of the expedition
death of Magellan and his eight companions undermined the prestige of the Spaniards in the eyes of the natives.Therefore Humabonu decides to get rid of the aliens and arranges a dinner party during which crushes with a significant part of the commanders.The remaining is necessary to run.Finally, we reach the Spice Islands, the surviving members of Magellan's expedition buy goods and collected the return trip, when they learn that the Portuguese king Magellan declared a deserter and ordered the detention of its vessels.At that time afloat are just two of the ship commanders who decide to go home in different ways.Since the ship "Trinidad" is a prisoner of the Portuguese, and the members of his crew end up living in prison in India.Quite differently formed the fate of those who are sent to Spain to "Victoria" under the command of Juan Elkanto, via the Cape of Good Hope.They cost enormous effort managed to get to Seville.Thus, before answering the questions: "Who is Magellan?", "What's open?" Is thoughtful.After all, what it called the first traveler, who made a circumnavigation, is not quite true.Moreover, he never set himself such a goal, as his only desire was to find a western route by which Spain could deliver spices and receive from this income.
Ferdinand Magellan: opened
Such a short life, as short as 40 years, but what brilliant results!Such thoughts arise when you read the story of the journey that has made Magellan.What's open?The famous Strait, named after him, Tierra del Fuego, Marianas and the Philippines.And most importantly - Magellan proved that from Europe to Asia, you can get not only skirting Africa, and moving in a westerly direction.
