Famous traveler in Asia. The most famous travelers in world history. About history and travelers

The exploration of our planet took place over several centuries, and many people distinguished themselves, whose names and merits are recorded in many historical books. All the great travelers sought to escape from the routine of existence and look at the world with different eyes. Thirst for new knowledge, curiosity, desire to expand known horizons - all these qualities were inherent in each of them.

About history and travelers

The history of mankind should be taken as a history of travel. It is impossible to understand what would be modern world, if previous civilizations did not send travelers to the borders then unknown world. The thirst for travel is inherent in the human DNA, because he has always sought to explore something and expand his own world.

The first people 100,000 years ago began to colonize the world, moving from Africa to Asia and Europe. In the era of the Middle Ages and modern times, travelers went to unknown countries in search of gold, glory, new lands, or they simply ran away from their miserable existence and poverty. However, all great travelers have possessed the impulse of force of the same nature, the never-ending fuel of explorers - curiosity. Just something that a person does not know or does not understand is enough to create an alluring and irresistible force that cannot be resisted. Further, the article presents the exploits of the great travelers and their discoveries, which had a huge impact on the process of the formation of mankind. The following individuals are noted:

• Herodotus;
• Ibn Battuta;
• Marco Polo;
• Christopher Columbus;
• Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano;
• James Cook;
• Charles Darwin;
• explorers of Africa and Antarctica;
• famous Russian travelers.

Father of modern history - Herodotus

The famous Greek philosopher, Herodotus, lived in the 5th century BC. His first journey was exile, as Herodotus was accused of plotting against the tyrant of Halicarnassus, Lygdamis. During this exile, the great traveler travels around the entire Middle East. He describes all his discoveries and acquired knowledge in 9 books, thanks to which Herodotus received the nickname of the father of history. It is interesting to note that another famous historian ancient Greece, Plutarch, gave Herodotus the nickname "father of lies." In his books, Herodotus tells about distant countries and about the cultures of many peoples, information about which the philosopher collected during his travels.

The stories of the great traveler are filled with political, philosophical and geographical reflections. They also contain sexual stories, myths and crime stories. Herodotus' writing style is semi-artistic. Modern historians consider the work of Herodotus to be a paradigm of curiosity. The historical and geographical knowledge brought by Herodotus had big influence for development Greek culture. The geographical map that Herodotus drew up, which included the limits from the Danube to the Nile, and from Iberia to India, for 1000 subsequent years determined the horizons of the world known at that time. It should be noted that the scientist was very worried that the knowledge he had gained would not be lost by mankind over time, and therefore he outlined them in detail in his 9 books.

Ibn Battuta (1302 - 1368)

Like every Muslim, twenty-year-old Battuta began his pilgrimage from the city of Tangier to Mecca on the back of a donkey. He could not even think that he would return to his hometown only 25 years later, with huge wealth and a whole harem of wives after he makes the journey for the most part peace. If you wonder what great travelers first explored the Muslim world, then you can safely call Ibn Battuta. He traveled to all countries, from the kingdom of Granada in Spain to China, and from Caucasus mountains to the city of Timbuktu, which is located in the Republic of Mali. This great traveler traveled 120,000 kilometers, met more than 40 sultans and emperors, was an ambassador to various sultans, and survived a number of disasters. Ibn Battuta always traveled with a large retinue, and in each new place he was treated as an important person.

Modern historians note that in the first half of the 14th century, when Ibn Battuta made his travels, the Islamic world was at the peak of its existence, which allowed the traveler to quickly and easily move through many territories.

Like Marco Polo, Battuta did not write his book ("Travel"), but dictated his stories to the Granadian erudite Ibn Khuzai. This work reflects Battuta's lust for enjoying life, which includes tales of sex and blood.

Marco Polo (1254 - 1324)

Marco Polo is one of the important names of great travelers. The book of the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, which tells in detail about his travels, became very popular even 2 centuries before the invention of printing. Marco Polo traveled the world for 24 years. Upon returning to his homeland, he was imprisoned during the war between the trading powers of the Mediterranean: Genoa and Venice. In prison, he dictated stories about his travels to one of his neighbors in misfortune. As a result, in 1298 a book appeared, which was called "Description of the world, dictated by Marco."

Marco Polo, along with his father and uncle, who were famous merchants in jewelry and silk, set off at the age of 17 on a trip to the Far East. During his trip, the great geographical traveler visited such forgotten places like the island of Hormuz, the Gobi desert, the coasts of Vietnam and India. Marco knew 5 foreign languages, was the representative of the great Mongol Khan Kublai Khan for 17 years.

Note that Marco Polo was not the first European to visit Asia, however, he was the first to make a detailed geographical description of it. His book is a mixture of truth and fiction, which is why many historians question most of its facts. On his deathbed, a priest asked Marco Polo, who was 70 years old, to confess his lies, to which the great traveler replied that he had not said even half of what he had seen.

Christopher Columbus (1451 - 1506)

Talking about travelers great era discoveries, first of all, we should mention Christopher Columbus, who shifted the backbone of the human economy to the west and marked the beginning of a new era in history. Historians note that when Columbus sailed to the discovery of the New World, the word "gold" is most often found in the entries of his logbook, and not the word "land".

Christopher Columbus, based on information provided by Marco Polo, believed he could reach the Far East, full of gold and riches, by sailing west. As a result, on August 2, 1492, he sails from Spain on three ships and heads west. Journey through Atlantic Ocean lasted longer than 2 months, and on October 11, Rodrigo Triana saw the land from the ship La Pinta. This day radically changed the lives of Europeans and Americans.

Like many great travelers of the era of great discoveries, Columbus died in 1506 in poverty in the city of Valladolid. Columbus didn't know what he discovered new continent, but thought that he managed to swim to India through the west.

Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano (XVI century)

One of amazing routes of the great travelers of the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, is the route of Ferdinand Magellan, when he was able to get through a narrow strait from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, which Magellan so named in honor of its calm waters.

In the 16th century, there was a serious race for dominance on the seas and oceans between Portugal and Spain, historians compare this race with the race for space exploration between the USA and the USSR. As Portugal dominated African coast, Spain was looking for ways to get to the spice islands (modern Indonesia) and to India through the west. Ferdinand Magellan became just the navigator who was supposed to find new way to the East through the West.

In September 1519, 5 ships with a total of 237 sailors set off for the West, led by Ferdinand Magellan. Three years later, only one ship returned with 18 sailors on board, led by Juan Sebastian Elcano. It was the first time that a man swam around everything the globe. The great traveler Ferdinand Magellan himself died in the Philippine Islands.

James Cook (1728-1779)

This British great traveler is considered the most famous explorer of the Pacific Ocean. He left his parents' farm and became a great captain in the Royal Navy. He made three great voyages from 1768 to 1779, which filled in many blank spots on the maps of the Pacific. All of Cook's travels were undertaken by the UK to achieve a range of geographic and botanical objectives in Oceania, Australia and New Zealand.

Charles Darwin (1809 - 1882)

Few people know that in the story of the great travelers and their discoveries, the name of Charles Darwin, who, at the age of 22, went on a trip on the Beagle brigantine in 1831 to explore east coast South America. On this journey, Charles Darwin sailed around the world in 5 years, while collecting huge information about the flora and fauna of our planet, which turned out to be key to Darwin's theory of the evolution of living organisms.

After this long journey, the scientist locked himself in his house in Kent in order to carefully study the collected material and draw the right conclusions. In 1859, that is, 23 years after the world travel, Charles Darwin publishes his work "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection", the main thesis of which was that it is not the strongest living organisms that survive, but the most adapted to environmental conditions.

Exploring Africa

The great travelers who have distinguished themselves in the exploration of Africa are mainly the British. One of the famous explorers of the black continent is Dr. Livingston, who distinguished himself in research central regions Africa. Livingston owns the discovery of the Victoria Falls. This man is a national hero of Great Britain.

Other famous Britons who distinguished themselves in the exploration of Africa are John Speke and Richard Francis Burton, who made many trips to the African continent in the second half of the 19th century. Their most famous journey is the search for the source of the Nile.

Exploration of Antarctica

Exploration of the icy southern continent - Antarctica marked new stage in the history of mankind. Briton Robert Scott and Norwegian Roald Amundsen distinguished themselves in the conquest of the South Pole. Scott was an explorer and officer in the Royal Navy of Britain, he led 2 expeditions to Antarctica, and on January 17, 1912, he, along with five members of his team, reached the South Pole, however, the Norwegian Amundsen was ahead of him by several weeks. The entire expedition of Robert Scott died, freezing in the icy desert of Antarctica. Amundsen, in turn, having visited on December 14, 1911 south pole was able to return to his homeland alive.

First female traveler

The thirst for travel and new discoveries was characteristic not only of men, but also of women. So, the first woman traveler, about whom there is reliable evidence, was the Galician (northwestern part of Spain) Echeria in the 4th century AD. Her travels were connected with the holy lands and pilgrimages. So, it is known that within 3 years she visited Constantinople, Jerusalem, Sinai, Mesopotamia and Egypt. It is unknown if Echeria returned to her homeland.

Great Russian travelers who expanded the borders of Russia

Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of area. In many ways, this fame is due to Russian travelers and researchers. Great travelers in the table below are given.

Russian travelers - explorers of the planet

Among them, Ivan Kruzenshtern should be noted, who was the first Russian to travel around the globe. We also mention Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay, who was a famous navigator and explorer of Oceania and South-East Asia. We also note Nikolai Przhevalsky, who was one of the most famous researchers Central Asia in the world.

Without the Russian pioneers, the map of the world would be completely different. Our compatriots - travelers and navigators - made discoveries that enriched world science. About the eight most notable - in our material.

Bellingshausen's first Antarctic expedition

In 1819, the navigator, captain of the 2nd rank, Thaddeus Bellingshausen led the first Antarctic expedition around the world. The purpose of the voyage was to explore the waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, as well as to prove or disprove the existence of the sixth continent - Antarctica. Having equipped two sloops - "Peace" and "Vostok" (under the command of Mikhail Lazarev), Bellingshausen's detachment went to sea.

The expedition lasted 751 days and wrote many bright pages in history geographical discoveries. The main one - the discovery of Antarctica - was made on January 28, 1820.

By the way, attempts to open white mainland undertaken earlier, but did not bring the desired success: there was not enough luck, or maybe Russian perseverance.

So, the navigator James Cook, summing up his second circumnavigation, wrote: “I went around the ocean of the southern hemisphere in high latitudes and rejected the possibility of the existence of the mainland, which, if it can be found, is only near the pole in places inaccessible to navigation.”

During Bellingshausen's Antarctic expedition, more than 20 islands were discovered and mapped, sketches of Antarctic species and animals living on it were made, and the navigator himself went down in history as a great discoverer.

“The name of Bellingshausen can be directly put on a par with the names of Columbus and Magellan, with the names of those people who did not retreat before the difficulties and imaginary impossibilities created by their predecessors, with the names of people who went their own way, and therefore were the destroyers of barriers to discoveries, by which epochs are designated, ”wrote the German geographer August Petermann.

Discoveries of Semenov Tien-Shansky

Central Asia at the beginning of the 19th century was one of the least explored areas of the globe. An indisputable contribution to the study of the "unknown land" - as geographers called Central Asia - was made by Peter Semenov.

In 1856 came true main dream explorer - he went on an expedition to the Tien Shan.

“My work on Asian geography led me to a thorough acquaintance with everything that was known about inner Asia. In particular, the most central of the Asian mountain ranges, the Tien Shan, beckoned me to itself, on which the foot of a European traveler had not yet set foot and which was known only from scarce Chinese sources.

Semenov's research in Central Asia lasted two years. During this time, the sources of the Chu, Syrdarya and Sary-Jaz rivers, the peaks of Khan-Tengri and others were put on the map.

The traveler established the location of the Tien Shan ranges, the height of the snow line in this area and discovered the huge Tien Shan glaciers.

In 1906, by decree of the emperor, for the merits of the discoverer, they began to add a prefix to his surname - Tien Shan.

Asia Przewalski

In the 70-80s. XIX century Nikolai Przhevalsky led four expeditions to Central Asia. This little explored area has always attracted the researcher, and traveling to Central Asia was his old dream.

Over the years of research have been studied mountain systems Kun-Lun , the ranges of Northern Tibet, the sources of the Yellow River and the Yangtze, basins Kuku-burrow and Lob-burrow.

Przhevalsky was the second person after Marco Polo to reach lakes-bogs Lob-burrow!

In addition, the traveler discovered dozens of species of plants and animals that are named after him.

“Happy fate made it possible to make a feasible study of the least known and most inaccessible countries of inner Asia,” Nikolai Przhevalsky wrote in his diary.

Around the world Krusenstern

The names of Ivan Kruzenshtern and Yuri Lisyansky became known after the first Russian round-the-world expedition.

For three years, from 1803 to 1806. - this is how long the first circumnavigation of the world lasted - the ships "Nadezhda" and "Neva", having passed through the Atlantic Ocean, rounded Cape Horn, and then reached Kamchatka by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. The expedition refined the map of the Pacific Ocean, collected information about the nature and inhabitants of Kamchatka and the Kuriles.

During the voyage, Russian sailors crossed the equator for the first time. This event was celebrated, according to tradition, with the participation of Neptune.

A sailor dressed as the ruler of the seas asked Kruzenshtern why he had come here with his ships, because the Russian flag had not been seen in these places before. To which the expedition commander replied: "For the glory of science and our fatherland!"

Expedition of Nevelskoy

Admiral Gennady Nevelskoy is rightfully considered one of the outstanding navigators of the 19th century. In 1849, on the transport ship Baikal, he went on an expedition to the Far East.

The Amur expedition continued until 1855, during which time Nevelskoy made several major discoveries in the area downstream Cupid and northern shores Sea of ​​Japan, annexed vast expanses of the Amur and Primorye to Russia.

Thanks to the navigator, it became known that Sakhalin is an island that is separated by the navigable Tatar Strait, and the mouth of the Amur is accessible for ships to enter from the sea.

In 1850, the Nikolaevsky post was founded by the Nevelsky detachment, which today is known as Nikolaevsk-on-Amur.

“The discoveries made by Nevelsky are invaluable for Russia,” wrote Count Nikolai Muravyov-Amursky , - many previous expeditions to these lands could achieve European fame, but not one of them achieved domestic benefit, at least to the extent that Nevelskoy did it.

North Vilkitsky

The purpose of the hydrographic expedition of the Northern Arctic Ocean 1910-1915 was the development of the Northern Sea Route. By chance, the captain of the 2nd rank Boris Vilkitsky assumed the duties of the head of navigation. The icebreaking ships Taimyr and Vaygach put to sea.

Vilkitsky moved along the northern waters from east to west, and during the voyage he managed to draw up a true description north coast Eastern Siberia and many islands, received key information about currents and climate, and also became the first to make a through voyage from Vladivostok to Arkhangelsk.

The expedition members discovered the Land of Emperor Nicholas II, known today as Novaya Zemlya - this discovery is considered the last of the significant ones on the globe.

In addition, thanks to Vilkitsky, the islands of Maly Taimyr, Starokadomsky and Zhokhov were put on the map.

At the end of the expedition, the First World War. Traveler Roald Amundsen, having learned about the success of Vilkitsky's voyage, could not resist exclaiming to him:

“In peacetime, this expedition would stir up the whole world!”

Kamchatka campaign of Bering and Chirikov

The second quarter of the 18th century was rich in geographical discoveries. All of them were made during the First and Second Kamchatka expeditions, which immortalized the names of Vitus Bering and Alexei Chirikov.

During the First Kamchatka campaign Bering, the leader of the expedition, and his assistant Chirikov explored and mapped the Pacific coast of Kamchatka and Northeast Asia. They discovered two peninsulas - Kamchatsky and Ozerny, Kamchatsky Bay, Karaginsky Bay, Cross Bay, Providence Bay and St. Lawrence Island, as well as the strait, which today bears the name of Vitus Bering.

Companions - Bering and Chirikov - also led the Second Kamchatka Expedition. The purpose of the campaign was to find a way to North America and explore the islands of the Pacific.

IN Avacha bay The members of the expedition founded the Petropavlovsk prison - in honor of the ships of the voyage "Saint Peter" and "Saint Pavel" - which was later renamed Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

When the ships set sail for the shores of America, by the will of evil fate, Bering and Chirikov began to act alone - because of the fog, their ships lost each other.

"Saint Peter" under the command of Bering reached the western coast of America.

And on the way back, the expedition members, who had many difficulties, were thrown by a storm onto a small island. Here the life of Vitus Bering ended, and the island on which the expedition members stopped to spend the winter was named after Bering.
"Saint Pavel" Chirikov also reached the shores of America, but for him the voyage ended more safely - on the way back he discovered a number of islands of the Aleutian ridge and safely returned to the Peter and Paul prison.

"Non-Yasak Lands" by Ivan Moskvitin

Little is known about the life of Ivan Moskvitin, but this man nevertheless went down in history, and the reason for this was the new lands he discovered.

In 1639, Moskvitin, leading a detachment of Cossacks, set sail for the Far East. The main goal of the travelers was to "find new unclaimed lands", to collect furs and fish. The Cossacks crossed the rivers Aldan, Maya and Yudoma, discovered the Dzhugdzhur ridge, which separates the rivers of the Lena basin from the rivers flowing into the sea, and along the Ulya river they entered the Lamskoye, or Sea of ​​Okhotsk. Having explored the coast, the Cossacks opened the Taui Bay and entered the Sakhalin Bay, rounding the Shantar Islands.

One of the Cossacks reported that the rivers in open lands“sable, there are a lot of all kinds of animals, and fish, and the fish is big, there is no such thing in Siberia ... there are so many of them - just launch a net and you can’t drag it out with fish ...”.

Russian geographers and travelers.

Russian geographers and travelers have contributed many glorious pages to the history of the geographical study of the globe.

Anuchin Dmitry Nikolaevich. 1843-1923

The largest Russian scientist in the field of anthropology, ethnography, archeology and geography. The first doctor of geographical sciences in Russia. Founder of the Department of Geography of Moscow State University. Founder of the school of Russian geographers and limnologists. He explored the sources of the main rivers of European Russia and the lake in the upper reaches of the Volga.

Baer Karl Maksimovich. 1792-1876.

Academician. In 1837 One of the first to carry out scientific research on Novaya Zemlya, and in 1840. - at the Kola p / o. In 1851-1856. engaged in the study of fisheries Lake Peipsi and the Caspian Sea. Studies have established the suitability for consumption of Caspian herring, previously used only for fat burning. In beautiful geographical descriptions Baer gave a characteristic of the peculiar hilly relief of the Caspian coast (Baer hillocks) and was the first to explain the uneven slope of river banks as a result of water deflection as a result of the Earth's rotation around its axis (Baer's law). He was the first chairman of the ethnography department of the Geographical Society.

Wrangel Ferdinand Petrovich. 1796-1870.

Admiral and famous navigator. In 1817-1819. committed circumnavigation on the sloop "Kamchatka" under the command of Captain Golovin. He spent four years in the north of Eastern Siberia, where he made an inventory of the coast from the mouth of the Kolyma to the Kolyuchenskaya Bay. predicted the existence of major island, later discovered by De Long and named Wrangel Island. In 1825-1827. circumnavigated the world on the military transport "Krotkiy". He was the main ruler of the Russian North American colonies (Alaska). Then the director of the Hydrographic Department. Compiled a very valuable description of his journey on northeast Siberia, translated into many languages.

Grumm-Grzhimailo Grigory Efimovich. 1860-1936.

Famous traveler. Researcher of nature, peoples, history of Central and Central Asia. Author of numerous major works on the Pamirs, Tuva, Mongolia, China. Made six large expeditions in mountainous areas Central Asia (Tien Shan, Pamir, Alai) and Central Asia. Gathered a huge amount of material on zoology, physical geography, ethnography of the peoples of Asia. He discovered the deepest depression in Central Asia - the Turfan depression. In recent years, he worked on the history of the nomadic peoples of Asia. From 1914 to 1930 He published the monograph "Western Mongolia and the Uryankhai Territory", which is still a reference book for everyone working on Central Asian issues.

Knipovich Nikolay Mikhailovich. 1862-1939

Organizer of field research in the Barents and White Seas. The result of many years of research in the Barents Sea was an extensive monograph "Fundamentals of Hydrology of the European Arctic Ocean". He organized and led numerous scientific and fishing expeditions in the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas.

Krasheninnikov Stepan Petrovich 1711-1755

Outstanding geographer. One of the first Russian academicians, a contemporary of Lomonosov. Kamchatka explorer, author of the first full description this peninsula. Participated in Bering's second Kamchatka expedition. He worked in Siberia - in the basins of the Shilka and Barguzin rivers, along the Lena River from the upper reaches to Yakutsk. He carried out research on Kamchatka from the autumn of 1737 to the spring of 1742. Traveled more than 27,000 km in Siberia and Kamchatka. In 1743 Returned to Petersburg. At first he was a student of the Academy of Sciences, then he was appointed adjunct. Since 1747 - manager botanical garden. In 1750 Elected Professor of the Academy of Sciences and Rector academic university. His classic "Description of the Kamchatka Land", published in 1755, after the death of the author, was repeatedly reprinted both in Russian and in many foreign languages.

Lepekhin Ivan Ivanovich 1740-1802

Academician, traveler and botanist. The son of an ordinary soldier, Lepekhin, thanks to his exceptional abilities and love for science, made his way on his own, graduated from an academic gymnasium and a university, and then from the University of Strasbourg. In 1768-1772. traveled through the northern and southeastern regions of European Russia. "Journey Diaries" is the summary of the description of this journey. In 1773 Produced research western regions European Russia. During the trip, he collected the richest botanical collection and organized the Botanical Garden.

Middendorf Alexander Fedorovich. 1815-1894

Academician and remarkable researcher of Siberia. In 1843-1844, at the suggestion and project of K.M. Bera carried out comprehensive studies of Siberia and the Far East, covering 30,000 km. In very difficult conditions and once exposed to mortal danger. On expeditions, he collected the richest collections. The first explored the "permafrost" in Yakutia. In 1870, during a trip to New Earth and to the White Sea, was engaged in temperature measurements and the study of the warm current of the Gulf Stream. Later, he explored the Baraba steppe and gave its description. Organized agricultural exhibitions. Led an expedition to study cattle breeding in Russia.

Mushketov Ivan Vasilievich 1850-1902

One of the biggest travelers. At the same time a geologist and geographer, who created a large school of Russian geologists. He explored the Lower Volga region, the Urals, the Caucasus, but made the most outstanding trips to Turkestan in 1874-1880. The first one illuminated the geological structure of the vast regions of Turkestan, compiled their first geological maps. For a long time he studied the earthquakes of Russia and compiled their first catalog. Mushketov is one of the first explorers of the ore resources of the Urals. Author of the classic course "Physical Geology" and the monograph "Turkestan".

Roborovsky Vsevolod Ivanovich 1856-1910

Famous Russian traveler of Central Asia. Member of the last two expeditions of N.M. Przhevalsky. after the death of Przhevalsky, he worked in the Tibetan expedition of the Russian geographical society. Then he led a large expedition to Central Asia. He visited the Tien Shan mountain systems, visited Tibet, Kashgaria. With his works, Roborovsky greatly contributed to the expansion of geographical knowledge in Central Asia, I continue the best traditions of famous Russian travelers in this distant country.

Russian navigators, along with European ones, are the most famous pioneers who discovered new continents, sections of mountain ranges and vast water areas. They became the pioneers of significant geographical objects, took the first steps in the development of hard-to-reach territories, made round-the-world trips. So who are they - the conquerors of the seas, and what exactly did the world learn about thanks to them?

Afanasy Nikitin - the very first Russian traveler

He was able to prove that even as a member of a poor peasant family, one can become famous researcher and traveller. Streets, embankments in several Russian cities, motor ship, passenger train and aircraft.

Semyon Dezhnev, who founded the Anadyr prison

In 1643, as part of a detachment of explorers, Semyon Ivanovich discovered Kolyma, where he founded the city of Srednekolymsk with his associates. A year later, Semyon Dezhnev continued his expedition, walked along the Bering Strait (which did not yet have this name) and discovered the most east point mainland, later named Cape Dezhnev. An island, a peninsula, a bay, a village also bear his name.

In 1648, Dezhnev set off again. His ship was wrecked in the waters located in the southern part of the Anadyr River. Having reached on skis, the sailors went up the river and stayed there for the winter. Subsequently, this place appeared on geographical maps and was called the Anadyr prison. As a result of the expedition, the traveler was able to make detailed descriptions, make a map of those places.

Vitus Jonassen Bering, who organized expeditions to Kamchatka

The discovery of the Kamchatka and Ozerny peninsulas, the bays of Kamchatsky, the Cross, the Karaginsky, the Bay of Conduct, the island of St. Lawrence are also the merit of Bering and Chirikov. At the same time, another strait was found and described, which later became known as the Bering Strait.

The second expedition was undertaken by them in order to find a way to North America and explore the Pacific Islands. On this journey, Bering and Chirikov founded the Peter and Paul prison. It got its name from the combined names of their ships ("Saint Peter" and "Saint Paul") and subsequently became the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

On the approach to the shores of America, the ships of like-minded people lost sight of each other, heavy fog affected. "Saint Peter", driven by Bering, sailed to the west coast of America, but got into a severe storm on the way back - the ship was thrown onto an island. The last minutes of Vitus Bering's life passed on it, and the island subsequently began to bear his name. Chirikov also reached America on his ship, but successfully completed his voyage, finding several islands of the Aleutian ridge on the way back.

Khariton and Dmitry Laptev and their “named” sea

Each of the brothers made a significant contribution to the development of new territories. Dmitry became the first navigator to survey the coast from the mouth of the Lena to the mouth of the Kolyma. He made detailed maps of these places, based on mathematical calculations and astronomical data.

Khariton Laptev with his associates conducted research on the northern section coast of Siberia. It was he who determined the size and shape of the huge Taimyr Peninsula - he surveyed its eastern coast, and was able to identify the exact coordinates of the coastal islands. The expedition took place in difficult conditions - a large number of ice, snowstorms, scurvy, ice captivity - Khariton Laptev's team had to endure a lot. But they continued the work they had begun. On this expedition, Laptev's assistant Chelyuskin discovered the cape, which was later named after him.

Noting the great contribution of the Laptevs to the development of new territories, members of the Russian Geographical Society decided to name one of them after them. largest seas Arctic. Also, the strait between the mainland and Bolshoy Lyakhovsky Island is named after Dmitry, and the name of Khariton is West Coast the islands of Taimyr.

Kruzenshtern and Lisyansky - organizers of the first Russian circumnavigation

This journey made it possible to collect important information. Based on the data obtained by navigators, a detailed map Pacific Ocean. Another important result of the first Russian round-the-world expedition was the data obtained on the flora and fauna of the Kuriles and Kamchatka, local residents, their customs and cultural traditions.

During their journey, the sailors crossed the equator and, according to maritime traditions, could not leave this event without a well-known ritual - a sailor dressed as Neptune greeted Krusenstern and asked why his ship arrived where the Russian flag had never been. To which he received the answer that they are here solely for the glory and development of domestic science.

Vasily Golovnin - the first navigator who was rescued from Japanese captivity

The leadership set the goal of a round-the-world expedition to study the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, with special attention to that part of it that is within the borders of the native country. The path of "Diana" was not easy. The sloop passed the island of Tristan da Cunha, passed the Cape of Hope and entered the port, which belonged to the British. Here the ship was detained by the authorities. The British informed Golovnin about the outbreak of war between the two countries. The Russian ship was not declared captured, but the crew was not allowed to leave the bay either. After spending more than a year in this position, in mid-May 1809, the Diana, led by Golovnin, tried to escape, which the sailors successfully succeeded in - the ship arrived in Kamchatka.

Golovnin received his next responsible task in 1811 - he was supposed to compile descriptions of the Shantar and Kuril Islands, the shores of the Tatar Strait. During his journey, he was accused of not adhering to the principles of sakoku and was captured by the Japanese for more than 2 years. It was possible to rescue the crew from captivity only thanks to the good relations of one of the Russian naval officers and an influential Japanese merchant, who was able to convince his government of the harmless intentions of the Russians. It is worth noting that no one in history has ever returned from Japanese captivity before.

In 1817-1819, Vasily Mikhailovich made another round-the-world trip on the Kamchatka ship specially built for this.

Thaddeus Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev - discoverers of Antarctica

The results of this expedition exceeded all expectations. During the 751 days that it lasted, Bellingshausen and Lazarev were able to make several significant geographical discoveries. Of course, the most important of them is the existence of Antarctica, it is historical event happened on January 28, 1820. Also during the trip, about two dozen islands were found and mapped, sketches were created with views of Antarctica, images of representatives of the Antarctic fauna.

Interestingly, attempts to discover Antarctica were made more than once, but none of them were successful. European navigators believed that either it did not exist, or it was located in places that simply could not be reached by sea. But the Russian travelers had enough perseverance and determination, so the names of Bellingshausen and Lazarev are included in the lists the greatest sailors peace.

There are also modern travelers. One of them .

Christopher Columbus On 3 caravels (Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina) crossed the Atlantic Ocean and reached about. San Selvador (official date of discovery of America October 12, 1492) On 3 caravels (Santa Maria, Pinta and Nina) he crossed the Atlantic Ocean and reached about. San Selvador (official date of discovery of America October 12, 1492) An educated, well-read person. I mistakenly assumed that I had reached India. An educated, well-read person. I mistakenly assumed that I had reached India.

Vasco da Gama () Portuguese navigator. He sailed from Lisbon to India, circumnavigating Africa, and back, for the first time laying sea ​​route from Europe to South Asia. Portuguese navigator. He sailed from Lisbon to India, circumnavigating Africa, and back, for the first time laying a sea route from Europe to South Asia. In 1524 he was appointed Viceroy of India. He died in India during the 3rd voyage. His ashes were transported to Portugal in 1538. In 1524 he was appointed Viceroy of India. He died in India during the 3rd voyage. His ashes were transported to Portugal in 1538.

Ferdinand Magellan (1480 - 1521) Portuguese warrior. He was forced to look for a service in a foreign land, in Spain. In a foreign country, he achieved the rank of commander of a flotilla. September 20, 1519 went on an expedition to the Spice Islands (India) from the west through the strait, which was about to open. Portuguese warrior. He was forced to look for a service in a foreign land, in Spain. In a foreign country, he achieved the rank of commander of a flotilla. September 20, 1519 went on an expedition to the Spice Islands (India) from the west through the strait, which was about to open.

The expedition left a flotilla of five ships with a crew of 265 people. The journey took three years. Magellan died in battle, intervening in an intertribal war, on April 27, 1521. Only the ship "Victoria" under the command of El Cano, rounding Africa, returned to Spain on September 6, 1522. The ship "Victoria"

Significance of F. Magellan's Expedition The expedition went around the earth and confirmed its sphericity. For the first time, Europeans passed the "South Sea", which Magellan called the Pacific Ocean. Evidence has been obtained that the mainland South America in the south it has the shape of a wedge.

James Cook (1728 - 79) English navigator who made 3 round-the-world expeditions. English navigator who made 3 round-the-world expeditions. Born in the family of a day laborer, from the age of 7 he began to work with his father, at 13 he began to attend school. Born in the family of a day laborer, from the age of 7 he began to work with his father, at 13 he began to attend school. In June 1755 he enlisted in the British navy as a sailor. In June 1755 he enlisted in the British navy as a sailor. V, already in command of a ship, surveyed the shores of the island of Newfoundland. V, already in command of a ship, surveyed the shores of the island of Newfoundland.

James Cook More than 20 geographical features are named after him, including three bays, two groups of islands and two straits. Cook's first circumnavigation lasted a little over 3 years; he was awarded the rank of captain of the 1st rank. Killed and eaten by the Hawaiians.

Significance of the expedition of James Cook Discovered many islands in pacific ocean. Discovered many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Clarified the basic position of New Zealand. Clarified the basic position of New Zealand. Opened Big barrier reef and the basic position of Australia. Discovered the Great Barrier Reef and the main position of Australia. opened Hawaiian Islands and part of the coast of Alaska. Discovered the Hawaiian Islands and part of the coast of Alaska.

Mikhail Lazarev () Russian naval commander, admiral. Committed 3 round the world expeditions, with F.F. Bellingshausen discovered Antarctica. Russian naval commander, admiral. He made 3 round-the-world expeditions, with F.F. Bellingshausen discovered Antarctica. In 1800 he was assigned to the Naval Cadet Corps. Participated in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden. In 1800 he was assigned to the Naval Cadet Corps. Participated in the battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden

Significance of Lazarev's expedition Discovered Antarctica with Bellingshausen Discovered Antarctica with Bellingshausen Sailed in the Atlantic, near Antilles and in Indian Ocean Sailed in the Atlantic, near the Antilles and in the Indian Ocean Participated in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden Participated in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden

Thaddeus Bellingshausen () Russian navigator, admiral. Russian navigator, admiral. Member of the 1st Russian round-the-world trip. Member of the 1st Russian round-the-world trip. Led the 1st Antarctic Expedition on the boats "Vostok" and "Mirny". Led the 1st Antarctic Expedition on the boats "Vostok" and "Mirny".

Nikolai Przhevalsky () Russian traveler, geographer, naturalist, explorer. Russian traveler, geographer, naturalist, explorer. In 1856 he entered the Academy of the General Staff. In 1856 he entered the Academy of the General Staff. In 1867 he came to St. Petersburg, where he met with P.P. Semyonov-Tyan-Shansky, who helped organize the Przhevalsky expedition.

Nikolai Przhevalsky Przhevalsky is known as one of the the greatest travelers who spent 11 years of his life on his expeditions. Przhevalsky is known as one of the greatest travelers who spent 11 years of his life on his expeditions. The total length of its working routes is km. The total length of its working routes is km.

Significance of the expedition of N. Przhevalsky Discovered a number of ridges, basins and lakes in Kunlun, Tien Shan and the Tibetan Plateau Discovered a number of ridges, basins and lakes in Kunlun, Tien Shan and the Tibetan Plateau Explored the Ussuri region, where he collected an ornithological collection Explored the Ussuri region , where he collected an ornithological collection Discovered many species of plants and animals Discovered many species of plants and animals

Afanasy Nikitin (1475) Russian traveler, Tver merchant. Russian traveler, Tver merchant. Traveled to Persia, India. On the way back I visited the African coast (Somalia), Muscat, Turkey. Traveled to Persia, India. On the way back I visited the African coast (Somalia), Muscat, Turkey.

Afanasy Nikitin Nikitin was the first European who gave a valuable description medieval India, describing it simply and truthfully, in the book "Journey Beyond the Three Seas". His notes are marked by the versatility of observation, as well as religious tolerance, unusual for the Middle Ages, in a combination of devotion to the Christian faith and native land. Nikitin turned out to be the first European who gave a valuable description of medieval India, describing it simply and truthfully, in the book "Journey Beyond the Three Seas". His notes are marked by the versatility of observation, as well as religious tolerance, unusual for the Middle Ages, combined with devotion to the Christian faith and native land.