Ferdinand Magellan

Ferdinand Magellan (1470-1521) was a Portuguese navigator. He served his country first in the East Indies and Morocco, but dissatisfied with King Manuel's treatment of him, offered himself to Spain. Under Charles V's patronage he and Ruy Falero set out to reach the Moluccas by the west in 1519. He reached the Philippines, and died in battle in Matan. On this voyage he discovered the Magellan Strait, 375 miles long and 15 miles wide, between the South American mainland and Tierra del Fuego. He gave name to the Pacific from the calm he exceptionally, it appears, experienced on entering it.

Nearby pages
Ferdinand the Cathoic, Ferdinand VII, Ferdinando Galiani, Feretrum, Fergus, Ferhat Abbas