Ferdinand Magellan, born on 3 February 1480, was a Portuguese explorer best known
for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the Earth, although he
himself did not complete the journey. Born into a family of minor Portuguese
nobility, Magellan became interested in exploration at a young age.
Magellan served the Portuguese crown in various capacities, including military
campaigns in India and Africa, but later moved to Spain after a falling out
with the Portuguese king. In service to Spain, he proposed an ambitious plan to
reach the Spice Islands (now part of Indonesia) by sailing westward, thereby
circumventing Portuguese-controlled routes.
He set sail in 1519 with a fleet of five ships. Although he faced challenges,
including mutiny and severe navigational hurdles, Magellan successfully entered
the Pacific Ocean by navigating through the strait that now bears his name at
the southern tip of South America.
Magellan was killed in the Philippines during a skirmish with local tribes,
never completing the circumnavigation himself. One of his ships, however, the
Victoria, led by Juan Sebastian Elcano, returned to Spain in 1522, thus
completing the first circumnavigation of the Earth. Only 18 of the original 270
crew members survived.
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