MORE EXPLORERS
Other Spanish Explorers
In 1513 Vasco Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. At the same time Juan Ponce de Leon was the first person to set foot in what later became known as the US when he explored Florida. Later explorers such as one led by Hernando de Soto explored further into the North American continent.

English Explorers
The English were also interested in finding a route to the Spice Islands.

• A few years after Columbus reached America, John Cabot landed in Newfoundland in present-day Canada. He was searching for the Northwest Passage. He hoped to reach the Spice Islands by sailing north and finding a route to the Pacific. However he never found the passage and died on his second attempt.
• The English also thought they could sail eastwards to the north of Russia and reach the Pacific using that route. Again they failed but a number of explorers died trying.
• Later British explorers included Sir Francis Drake who was the second man to circumnavigate the Globe. Sir Walter Raleigh set up the first British settlement in North America.
• In the 18th century Captain James Cook travelled to both Australia and New Zealand.

Questions
1.         What had John Cabot hoped to achieve?
2.         Why is Sir Francis Drake regarded as an important explorer?