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The True Story of the World's First Scientific Expedition

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Published in Latitude: The True Story Of The World S First Scientific Expedition

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In the early 16th century, the world was a much different place than it is today. Europeans had only recently begun to explore the oceans, and the vast majority of the world remained unknown. But one man was determined to change that. His name was Ferdinand Magellan, and he was a Portuguese explorer who had a dream of circumnavigating the globe.

Latitude: The True Story of the World's First Scientific Expedition

by Nicholas Crane

4.1 out of 5

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In 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain with a fleet of five ships. His goal was to find a westward passage to the Spice Islands, which were located in Southeast Asia. The Spice Islands were a major source of wealth for the Europeans, and Magellan hoped to find a way to get there without having to go around the Cape of Good Hope, which was a long and dangerous route.

Magellan's expedition was the first of its kind. It was the first time that a group of scientists had set out to explore the world with the goal of gathering knowledge about the natural world. The expedition included astronomers, botanists, zoologists, and cartographers. They were armed with the latest scientific instruments, and they were determined to make new discoveries.

The expedition was a success. Magellan and his crew circumnavigated the globe, and they made many important discoveries along the way. They discovered new lands, new plants and animals, and new cultures. They also proved that the world was round, and they laid the foundation for modern science.

But the expedition was also a tragedy. Magellan himself was killed in the Philippines, and many of his crew died from disease or starvation. But the legacy of the expedition lived on. The discoveries that Magellan and his crew made changed the way that Europeans understood the world, and they helped to pave the way for the Age of Exploration.

The Scientific Discoveries of the Magellan Expedition

The Magellan expedition made many important scientific discoveries. Some of the most important discoveries include:

The discovery that the world is round. Before the Magellan expedition, many people believed that the world was flat. But the expedition's circumnavigation of the globe proved that the world is actually round.
The discovery of new lands. The Magellan expedition discovered many new lands, including the Philippines, the Mariana Islands, and the Marshall Islands. These discoveries expanded the Europeans' knowledge of the world and helped to pave the way for future exploration.
The discovery of new plants and animals. The Magellan expedition discovered many new plants and animals, including the pineapple, the potato, and the tomato. These discoveries introduced new foods to the Europeans and helped to improve their diets.
The discovery of new cultures. The Magellan expedition encountered many new cultures, including the people of the Philippines, the Mariana Islands, and the Marshall Islands. These encounters helped to broaden the Europeans' understanding of the world and its people.

The Legacy of the Magellan Expedition

The Magellan expedition was a major turning point in human history. It was the first time that a group of scientists had set out to explore the world with the goal of gathering knowledge about the natural world. The expedition's discoveries changed the way that Europeans understood the world, and they helped to pave the way for the Age of Exploration.

The legacy of the Magellan expedition lives on today. The discoveries that Magellan and his crew made are still taught in schools, and they continue to inspire scientists and explorers around the world. The expedition is a reminder that anything is possible with courage, determination, and a thirst for knowledge.

Latitude: The True Story of the World's First Scientific Expedition

by Nicholas Crane

4.1 out of 5