Ptolemy, a Greek mathematician, astronomer, and geographer, is credited with creating the first known flat map of the world. This map laid the foundation for future cartography and geographical understanding.

In 870, Náttfari became the first permanent resident of Iceland, marking the beginning of human settlement on the island.

In 874, Ingólfur Arnarson established his homestead in present-day Reykjavík, becoming one of the earliest settlers in Iceland.

In 982, the Vikings started their exploration of the North Atlantic region.

Leif Ericson, a Norse explorer, is believed to have reached North America around the year 1000, making him one of the first Europeans to do so.

The Portuguese were motivated to explore Africa in search of a new trade route to Asia. This was driven by the high value of Asian products like silk and spices in Europe, which were previously only accessible through the long and risky Silk Road.

In 1400, Prince Henry of Portugal sponsored various exploration missions, leading to significant discoveries and advancements in navigation.

In the early 15th century, European explorers rounded the feared Cape Bojador, marking the beginning of the Age of Discovery.

In 1419, João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, Portuguese navigators, discovered the island of Madeira, which would later become an important stop for explorers en route to Africa and the Americas.

In 1427, Diogo de Silves discovered the Azores archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.

Diogo de Silves discovers the Azores.

In 1434, Gil Eanes successfully passed Cabo de Não and rounded Cape Bojador, a significant milestone in the Age of Exploration.

European explorers reached the Americas for the first time in 1436, marking the beginning of a new era of exploration and colonization.

In 1443, Nuno Tristão passed Cape Blanco, further expanding the knowledge of the West African coast during the Age of Exploration.

In 1444, Dinis Dias reached the mouth of the Senegal River, contributing to the Portuguese exploration of the African coast.

In 1446, Portuguese explorers successfully reached Cape Verde, a group of islands off the coast of West Africa, establishing a strategic foothold for further exploration and trade.

In 1448, the Portuguese established their first trading post in Africa, initiating the era of European exploration and colonization on the continent.

Prince Henry played a crucial role in kickstarting the Age of Exploration by advocating for expeditions to uncharted territories.

In 1453, the Turkish Empire blocked the traditional land route for spices from Asia to Europe, leading to the search for alternative sea routes.

In 1456, the search for a sea route for spices began after the Turkish Empire cut off the traditional land route, prompting explorers to find new maritime paths.

In 1460, Alvise Cadamosto and Diogo Gomes embarked on an exploration journey to the Cape Verde Islands, contributing to the European exploration of the Atlantic Ocean and West Africa.

In 1470, Pêro de Sintra successfully reached Sierra Leone, further expanding the Portuguese exploration along the West African coast.

In 1472, Cape Palmas was passed by explorers, marking a significant milestone in the exploration of the African coastline and the establishment of trade routes.

In 1473, Fernão do Pó discovered Bioko, an island that played a crucial role in the early European exploration and colonization of the African continent.

In 1474, Lopo Gonçalves became the first person to cross the equator.

The Aeterni regis Papal Bull issued in 1481 granted Portugal the exclusive rights to trade and exploration in Africa and the Indian Ocean. This decree influenced Spain's decision to support Christopher Columbus's voyage in search of new trade routes.

In 1482, Ruy de Sequeira discovered the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe.

In 1485, Diogo Cão reached the Congo River and erected a 'padrão' (pillar of stone) there.

In 1487, Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias successfully rounded the Cape of Storms, which is now known as the Cape of Good Hope. Despite bad weather, he confirmed that the coast was trending northeastward, marking a significant milestone in the Age of Discovery.

In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese explorer, became the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, opening up a new sea route to Asia.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus's voyage led to the discovery of the Americas, marking a significant turning point in world history as major European trade centers began to shift away from the Mediterranean.

Christopher Columbus embarked on his first voyage to find a western route to Asia but instead encountered the Americas, leading to the beginning of European exploration and colonization of the New World.

The period of Spanish colonization and conquest in the Caribbean islands after Christopher Columbus' arrival in the region.

An agreement between Spain and Portugal that divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two countries along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands.

Spanish conquistadors were soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries.

In 1497, Vasco da Gama embarked on a historic journey to India, establishing a sea route that connected Europe to Asia. This voyage played a significant role in the Age of Exploration and opened up lucrative trade opportunities.

On June 24th, 1498, John Cabot reached Labrador, which he claimed for England during his exploration of North America.

In 1499, Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci reached the mouth of the Amazon River and ventured up to 6°S latitude in what is now northern Brazil.

In 1500-01, Diogo Dias reached Madagascar and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the gateway to the Red Sea, during his exploration.

Between 1500 and 1502, Gaspar and Miguel Corte Real explored and named the coasts of 'Terra Verde' (likely Newfoundland) and Labrador.

Between 1501 and 1502, Gonçalo Coelho reached 'Rio de Janeiro' (Guanabara Bay) during his exploration.

Between 1502 and 1503, on his fourth voyage to the Americas, Christopher Columbus explored the North American mainland from Guanaja to the border of Panama and Colombia.

In 1505, Juan de Bermúdez discovered the island of Bermuda during his exploration.

In 1506, Lourenço de Almeida successfully reached the Maldives and Sri Lanka during his exploration.

Martin Waldseemüller named the 'New World' America after Amerigo Vespucci, shaping geographical knowledge.

In 1509, Diogo Lopes de Sequeira successfully reached Sumatra and Malacca during his exploration.

Between 1511 and 1512, João de Lisboa and Estevão de Fróis explored the Cape of Santa Maria (Punta Del Este) in the River Plate, traveling as far south as the Gulf of San Matias in present-day Uruguay and Argentina.

In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa crossed the jungles of Panama and became the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic side.

Gonzalo de Badajoz crosses the Isthmus of Panama at the site of Nombre de Dios, reaching as far as the interior of the Azuero Peninsula in 1515.

Juan Díaz de Solís explores the River Plate estuary and names it 'La Mar Dulce' ('The Fresh-Water Sea') in 1516.

Lourenço Gomes reaches Borneo in 1518.

Ferdinand Magellan and his crew embarked on a journey to sail around the world in 1519, which lasted until 1522.

In 1521, Francisco Gordillo and Pedro de Quexos discovered the mouth of a river which they named 'Rio de San Juan Bautista' in modern South Carolina.

In 1522, Gil González Dávila explored inland from the Gulf of Nicoya, reaching Lake Nicaragua, while his pilot Andrés Niño explored the coast westward, possibly reaching modern Guatemala.

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama successfully sailed to India in 1524, finding an alternative sea route to Asia. This achievement led to Portuguese colonization in Africa and Asia, reshaping global trade routes.

In 1525, Estêvão Gomes explored Penobscot Bay in Maine, contributing to the European exploration of the region.

Alonso de Salazar reaches the Marshall Islands, specifically Bokak Atoll.

Diogo Rodrigues explores the Mascarene Islands, naming the islands of Réunion, Mauritius, and Rodrigues.

Diego de Ordaz ascends the Orinoco River to the Atures rapids, just past its confluence with the Meta River.

Fortún Ximénez finds the tip of Baja California during his exploratory journey.

Jacques Cartier explores the Gulf of St. Lawrence, discovering Anticosti Island and Prince Edward Island.

Jacques Cartier explores and ascends the St. Lawrence River, reaching the village of Hochelaga, which is present-day Montreal.

Francisco de Ulloa sails to the head of the Gulf of California and around Baja California, confirming that Baja is a peninsula.

Francisco Coronado explored the Southwest region of the United States in 1540.

Ruy López de Villalobos discovers three islands in the Carolines and eight atolls in the Marshall Islands in 1543.

In 1544, Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence River and claimed Canada for France.

Hugh Willoughby seeks a Northeast Passage over Russia in 1553, reaching either Kolguyev Island or Novaya Zemlya.

Steven Borough reaches as far as Kara Strait, between Novaya Zemlya and Vaygach Island in 1556.

In 1557, the trading port of Macau was founded at the mouth of the Canton River, marking another significant Portuguese establishment in the East and contributing to the European presence in the region.

In 1565, Hernando De Soto explored the Southeastern United States and discovered the Mississippi River.

Álvaro de Mendaña reaches the Solomon Islands during his exploration.

Martin Frobisher discovers 'Meta Incognita' (Baffin Island) and believes he has found a passage to Cathay, naming it 'Frobishers Streytes' (Frobisher Bay).

Frobisher sails partway up the 'Mistaken Straites' (Hudson Strait) during his exploration.

John Davis explores Davis Strait, reaching 66°40′ N, and also sails up Cumberland Sound, believing it to be a passage to Cathay.

John Davis sails up the west coast of Greenland as far as 72°46′ N during his exploration.

João da Gama reaches 'Yezo' (Hokkaido) during his exploration.

John Davis discovers the Falkland Islands during his exploration.

Álvaro de Mendaña discovers the Marquesas Islands during his exploration.

Willem Barentsz discovers Spitsbergen during his exploration.

Prince Miron Shakhovskoi and D. Khripunov establish the ostrog of Mangazeya along the Taz River, located 161 to 240 kilometers from the Ob Estuary.

Portuguese missionary Bento de Góis travels from India to China overland, passing through Afghanistan and the Pamirs.

In 1603, Samuel de Champlain initiated the settlement of Canada under the French authority.

Ketsk serving men ascend the Ket River, portage to the Yenisei River, and reach its confluence with the Sym River.

Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon discovers Australia at the mouth of the Pennefather River on the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula.

In 1607, Sir Francis Drake completed a circumnavigation of the Earth representing England.

Henry Hudson explored the Hudson River in 1609 while working on behalf of England.

Between 1610 and 1611, Hudson sailed through Hudson Strait into Hudson Bay, where he spent the winter in James Bay.

Explorer Henry Hudson searched for the northwest passage in North America and mysteriously disappeared during his last expedition in 1611. His explorations contributed to the European understanding of the North American continent.

In 1614, whalers discovered Jan Mayen.

Jacob Le Maire and Willem Schouten discover and name several geographical landmarks including Le Maire Strait, Staten Island, and Cape Horn during their exploration.

English walrus hunters sight the southern coast of Sir Thomas Smith's Island (Nordaustlandet), adding to the European knowledge of Arctic geography.

Spanish missionary Pedro Páez is believed to be the first European to witness and describe the source of the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, contributing to the understanding of African geography.

Frederick de Houtman sights the coast of Western Australia near Fremantle and navigates northward, covering a significant distance along the Australian coastline.

Mangazeyan serving men reach the Vilyuy River and travel downstream to its confluence with the Lena River, contributing to the exploration of Siberia's river systems.

The Dutch ship Leeuwin discovered land close to present-day Cape Leeuwin.

Jan Carstenszoon explored the western coast of Cape York Peninsula from Cape Keerweer to the southern mouth of the Gilbert River, while Willem Joosten van Colster discovered 'Arnhemsland' and 'Speultsland'.

António de Andrade became the first known European to cross the Himalayas, specifically through the Mana Pass, reaching Tibet.

Jesuit missionaries Estêvão Cacella and João Cabral crossed the Himalayas, being the first to enter Bhutan.

Gerrit Frederikszoon de Witt, captain of the Vianen, discovered 'Witsland' around 21° S, sailing 320 kilometres along the coast and finding Barrow Island and parts of the Dampier Archipelago.

Dmitri Zyrian discovers the Alazeya River, which he ascends as far as the tree line.

Kurbat Ivanov reaches the western shores of Lake Baikal, opposite Olkhon.

Tasman maps the northern coast of Australia, connecting the Cape York Peninsula with Western Australia.

Groseilliers and Pierre-Esprit Radisson explore the southern shore of Lake Superior as far west as Chequamegon Bay.

Jesuit missionaries Johann Grueber and Albert Dorville are the first to visit Lhasa.

René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle discovers the Ohio River, descending it as far as the Falls of the Ohio near the site of modern Louisville, Kentucky.

French-Canadian explorer Louis Jolliet and Jesuit missionary Jacques Marquette reach the upper Mississippi River, descending it to its confluence with the Arkansas River and becoming the first Europeans to map the surrounding river valley. They also discover the Missouri River.

During a commercial voyage, English merchant Anthony de la Roché accidentally discovers South Georgia Island, the first ever discovery of land south of the Antarctic Convergence.

Robert de La Salle descends the 'Rivière de Colbert' (Mississippi) to its mouth.

Luka Morozko travels almost halfway down the west coast of Kamchatka, reaching the Tigil River.

A snapshot of the North American continent in the year 1700, showcasing the various European colonies and indigenous populations present at that time.

In 1702, the Spanish ship Rosario discovers Rosario Island, later renamed Nishinoshima in 1904, located around 940 km south-southeast of Tokyo.

In 1706, Mikhail Nasedkin reaches Cape Lopatka and sights Shumshu, the northernmost of the Kuril Islands.

In 1710, Yakov Permyakov discovers Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Island.

In 1713, Ivan Kozyrevsky reaches Shumshu and Paramushir islands.

In 1714, Étienne de Veniard, Sieur de Bourgmont, becomes the first European to enter present-day Nebraska by ascending the Missouri River to its confluence with the Platte River.

In 1720, Pedro de Villasur travels from Santa Fe to the lower Platte River in eastern Nebraska, passing through part of southeastern Colorado.

In 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen discovers Easter Island, also known as 'Paasch Eiland', as well as Tutuila and Upolu.

In 1728, Danish explorer Vitus Bering sails through the strait that now bears his name, also discovering and naming Saint Lawrence Island.

In 1732, Mikhail Gvozdev discovers the 'Large Country' which is now known as Alaska.

In 1734, Jean Baptiste de La Vérendrye discovers Lake Winnipeg.

Pierre de La Vérendrye visited Mandan villages near the site of present-day Bismarck, North Dakota.

Jean Bouvet de Lozier discovered 'Cape Circumcision' which is now known as Bouvet Island.

In 1741, Vitus Bering sights Mount St. Elias, the entrance of Prince William Sound, the Alaska Peninsula, and several Aleutian Islands, making significant discoveries in the region.

In 1742, Christopher Middleton discovers Wager Bay and Repulse Bay during his explorations.

In 1747, Jeremiah Westall discovers Chesterfield Inlet and navigates about sixty miles into it.

In 1769, José Ortega discovered San Francisco Bay.

In 1772, Yves-Joseph de Kerguelen-Trémarec discovered the Kerguelen Islands.

In 1773, Ivan Lyakhov reached Kotelny Island.

In 1774, Juan José Pérez Hernández explored the western coast of North America from Cape Mendocino northwards, discovering the Queen Charlotte Islands, Vancouver Island, and Dall Island.

In 1775, Bruno de Heceta discovered the mouth of the Columbia River.

The American Revolution was a war for independence fought by the American colonies against British rule. It was a significant event that marked the beginning of the end of European colonial dominance in the Americas.

In 1777, James Cook discovered Christmas Island and Hawaii during his exploration. He also explored the Alaskan coast, reaching as far north as Icy Cape and discovering Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound.

In 1787, Charles William Barkley discovered the Strait of Juan de Fuca during his exploration.

In 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip arrived with The First Fleet in Botany Bay on the coast of Sydney, Australia.

In 1789, Alexander Mackenzie descended the Mackenzie River to its mouth in the Arctic Ocean.

In 1796, Scottish explorer Mungo Park reached the upper Niger River, exploring it from Ségou to Silla.

In 1798, Francisco de Lacerda traveled from Tete northwest to Lake Mweru.

In 1800, James Grant discovered the Australian coastline from Cape Banks to Cape Otway.

Between 1802 and 1803, Matthew Flinders circumnavigated Australia.

In 1821, English naval officer John Franklin explored over 800 kilometers of coastline from the mouth of the Coppermine River to Point Turnagain on the Kent Peninsula.

In 1823, Dixon Denham, Walter Oudney, and Hugh Clapperton became the first Europeans to sight Lake Chad.

In 1824, Samuel Black ascended the Finlay River to Thutade Lake, the source of the Finlay-Peace-Slave-Mackenzie river system.

Scottish explorer Alexander Gordon Laing achieved the feat of becoming the first European to reach the legendary city of Timbuktu in 1826, although he tragically met his demise after leaving the city.

French explorer René Caillié accomplished the remarkable feat of being the first European to return safely from Timbuktu in 1828.

In 1830, English explorer Richard Lander and his brother John navigated more than 643 kilometers down the Niger River from Bussa to its mouth.

In 1833, Andrei Glazunov and Semyon Lukin were credited with the discovery of the mouth of the Yukon River.

In 1834, George Back undertook the journey of descending the Back River to Chantrey Inlet.

In 1837, Andrei Glazunov made the notable ascent of Unalakleet and carried out portages to reach the middle Yukon.

German missionary Johannes Rebmann becomes the first European to sight Mount Kilimanjaro.

David Livingstone and William Cotton Oswell successfully cross the Kalahari Desert to reach Lake Ngami.

Edwin De Haven sails up Wellington Channel, discovering and naming 'Grinnell Land' (the Grinnell Peninsula).

John Rae charts over 965 kilometres of the southern coastline of Victoria Island, from Cape Back to Pelly Point.

In 1852, Edward Augustus Inglefield reached 78° 28’ N, entering Smith Sound and charting Jones Sound to 84° 10’ W.

In 1853, George Mecham discovered Prince Patrick and Eglinton Islands and charted the southwest corner of Melville Island, along with Francis Leopold McClintock. They also charted nearly the entire coast of Prince Patrick and the northwest coast of Melville Island.

In 1854, Rae charted the Boothia Peninsula from the Castor and Pollux River north to Point de la Guiche, discovering Rae Strait and proving the insularity of King William Island.

In 1858, Richard Francis Burton and John Hanning Speke discovered Lake Tanganyika and Lake Victoria.

In 1859, McClintock charted the remaining 193 kilometers of the continental coastline of America on the west coast of the Boothia Peninsula, while his companion Allen Young charted the southern half of Prince of Wales Island.

In 1862, Speke discovered the Nile flowing from the northern end of Lake Victoria.

Edward Whymper becomes the first person to ascend the Matterhorn, a significant achievement in mountaineering history.

In 1876, Luigi D'Albertis made a significant journey by ascending over 800 kilometers up the Fly River in New Guinea.

In 1892, Robert Peary made significant discoveries by finding and naming Independence Bay and Peary Land.

In 1900, Peary explored the north coast of Greenland from Cape Washington to Cape Clarence Wyckoff, reaching Cape Morris Jesup, the most northern point of mainland Greenland.

Between 1902 and 1904, Robert Falcon Scott traced the length of the Ross Ice Shelf, discovered the Edward VII Peninsula, and reached about 82°11’ S, crossing the Transantarctic Mountains and discovering the Antarctic Plateau.

From 1903 to 1906, Roald Amundsen led the first expedition to traverse the entire Northwest Passage in the sloop Gjøa, with his second-in-command Godfred Hansen charting the east coast of Victoria Island.

In 1906-07, Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen and Johan Peter Koch charted the northeast coast of Greenland from Cape Bismarck to Cape Clarence Wyckoff, discovering Danmark Fjord.

In 1908-09, Frederick Cook and Peary each claimed to have reached the North Pole, with Cook being considered a fraud and Peary's claim widely doubted.

During 1910-11, Bernhard Hantzsch crossed Baffin Island from Cumberland Sound to the Koukdjuak River, exploring the west coast of the island north to 68°45’N.