Who were the most famous European explorers?

Some of the most famous European explorers in history include:

1. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506): An Italian explorer, Columbus is credited with opening the Americas to widespread exploration by Europeans. In 1492, he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, landing in the present-day Bahamas, and made subsequent voyages to the Caribbean and Central and South America.
2. Vasco da Gama (1460-1524): A Portuguese explorer, da Gama is known for being the first European to reach India by sea in 1498, establishing a direct maritime trade route from Europe to Asia.
3. Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521): Although he was a Portuguese explorer, Magellan's expedition was funded by Spain. He led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, though he was killed in the Philippines, and his crew completed the journey.
4. John Cabot (c. 1450-1500): An Italian explorer sailing under an English flag, Cabot is believed to have reached parts of North America in 1497, making him one of the earliest European explorers to set foot in North America since the Norse expeditions.
5. Amerigo Vespucci (1454-1512): An Italian explorer, Vespucci's name became associated with the continent of America. He made several voyages to the New World and is considered the namesake of the Americas.
6. Hernán Cortés (1485-1547): A Spanish conquistador, Cortés led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. His conquests profoundly impacted the course of history in the Americas.
7. Francisco Pizarro (1471-1541): Another Spanish conquistador, Pizarro led the expedition that led to the fall of the Inca Empire in Peru. His conquests greatly expanded Spanish influence in South America.
8. Henry Hudson (c. 1565-1611): An English explorer, Hudson made multiple voyages in search of a northeast passage to Asia. He explored parts of North America, including the Hudson River, which now bears his name.
9. James Cook (1728-1779): A British explorer and naval captain, Cook is known for his extensive voyages in the Pacific Ocean, mapping numerous islands and coastlines. He made significant contributions to the understanding of the Pacific.
10. David Livingstone (1813-1873): A Scottish explorer and missionary, Livingstone explored much of Africa, and his efforts to end the slave trade and promote Christianity had a profound impact on the continent.

These explorers played crucial roles in the Age of Exploration, expanding geographical knowledge and shaping the course of history through their discoveries and interactions with new cultures and civilizations.