The Magellan Expedition

exploration · history · ocean voyage

Around the World. In 1519, a Spanish expedition led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan set sail to find a western route to the Spice Islands in Indonesia. The voyage lasted nearly three years and traveled about 37,560 miles, completing the first time any ship had sailed all the way around Earth.

Crossing the Pacific. Magellan's expedition was the first European group to cross the massive Pacific Ocean. The journey revealed just how enormous the Pacific really is, shocking Europeans who had no idea how vast it actually stretched.

Spice Trade Dreams. The expedition's goal was to find a western sea route to the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, where valuable spices like cloves and nutmeg grew. These spices were so precious in Europe that finding a direct route to them would make any explorer wealthy and famous.

Magellan's Death. Ferdinand Magellan died during a battle in the Philippines in 1521, but his crew continued without him. Juan Sebastián Elcano took command of the remaining ship and successfully brought it back to Spain in 1522.

Proving the Route. The expedition proved that ships could sail all the way around the world on a western sea route, completely changing how Europeans understood geography and navigation.