Explorers

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Explorers of the Old World were the first great travelers. These historical figures paved the way for future explorers and travelers, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and expanding our understanding of the world. Here are just a few of them:

1. Marco Polo: The Venetian merchant is famous for his travels along the Silk Road to China in the 13th century, where he served as an emissary to the Mongol Empire and documented his experiences in his book "The Travels of Marco Polo."

2. Christopher Columbus: The Italian explorer's voyages across the Atlantic Ocean in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, funded by the Spanish monarchy, led to the European discovery of the Americas and opened up new trade routes between Europe and the New World.

3. Ferdinand Magellan: The Portuguese explorer led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe from 1519 to 1522, though he died during the journey. His crew completed the historic voyage, demonstrating the Earth's spherical shape and opening up new possibilities for global travel.

4. James Cook: The British navigator and explorer conducted three voyages to the Pacific Ocean in the late 18th century, mapping many uncharted territories, including the eastern coast of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and making significant contributions to the field of cartography.

5. David Livingstone: The Scottish missionary and explorer is best known for his extensive travels and explorations in Africa during the 19th century, where he sought to discover the source of the Nile River and promote Christianity while documenting the continent's geography and cultures.

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