Fernando Magellan, or Fernand de Magallaso in Portuguese, was born in Portugal, in the small village of Saborozha, in the province of Trazos Montis, around 1480. Magellan came from a noble family and, like all young hidalgo of that time, spent his youth at the court of King Manuel as a page page. It is not known how long Magellan stayed in Africa, it is only known that in 1508 he was already in Portugal, where at that time an expedition was being equipped for new discoveries in the Malay archipelago. Thanks to the study of geographical issues, Magellan conceived a plan to reach the rich spice islands, following not the usual route, past Africa and India, but across the western Atlantic Ocean, having traveled around the mainland of South America. Magellan, recognizing the sphericity of the earth, assumed that the western route would be straighter and, therefore, shorter than the eastern one. This idea of a western route to the shores of Asia is known to have been the idea of Columbus. Magellan told about his plan to the Lisbon cosmographer Rui Faleir, who approved this plan and advised Magellan to turn to King Manuel. However, the king rejected Magellan's offer. Then Magellan left Portugal and moved to Spain. On October 20, 1517, he arrived in Seville, Magellan's Plan was accepted by the king, and Magellan was appointed admiral and chief of an expedition of five ships and a 265 crew. In July 1519, all preparations for sailing were completed. Driven by a tailwind, Magellan's ships headed north along west coast South America. Magellan wanted to climb to warmer latitudes, then head west again. On January 27, Magellan reached 16 degrees south latitude and turned west here. Soon the coast of the American continent disappeared from sight, and the ships found themselves among the completely unknown endless watery desert of the ocean. Magellan gave the name to this new Pacific Ocean, since, in comparison with the Atlantic, Magellan encountered fewer storms here. Sailing on the ocean lasted four whole months and was accompanied by incredible hardships. There were almost no food supplies, the fresh water was all spoiled and the sailors were forced to eat rotten breadcrumbs and rats. In the midst of such disasters and hardships, the sailors sailed to no one knows where, and this killed their energy even more. During the three months of sailing in the Pacific Ocean, 19 people died and about 13 were sick. Everyone considered themselves doomed to die. Between there in the ocean there was not a single island. Only in one place in the ocean did the sailors see two islands, but they did not find anything on them that could support their strength. Magellan called these islands the Unhappy. Not far from the island of Cebu there was another island, Mactan, whose rajah, who had previously recognized the supremacy of the rajah of Cebu, for some time did not want to pay him tribute. When the Raja of the island of Cebu told Magellan about this, Magellan decided to render a service to the new vassal of Spain and at the same time show the natives the superiority of weapons and military art of Europeans. He suggested that the Raja go to Mactan and punish the indignant Raja. On April 26, three boats, which accommodated 60 soldiers, and about thirty native boats, which carried the Raja of Cebu, his nephew and many soldiers, set off for the island of Mactan. One Indian threw a bamboo spear right in the face of the captain, but the latter immediately killed him with his spear, stuck in the body of the Indian. Then, trying to draw out the sword, he drew it only halfway, as he was wounded in the arm with a bamboo spear. At the sight of this, all the natives attacked him. One of them wounded him in the left leg with a large cleaver, similar to a Turkish broadsword, but even wider. The captain fell face down, and immediately they showered him with iron and bamboo spears and began to strike with the cleavers until they ruined our mirror, our light, our joy and our true leader. He kept turning back to see if we all had time to board the boats. ”Magellan was killed on April 27, 1521, at the age of 41. Although he did not reach the goal of his journey - the Moluccas - he did not reach the most difficult part of the journey, opened the strait at the southern tip of America and was the first to swim across the greatest ocean in the world.
The crew expected to find many islands along the way to get food, water and other necessities, but this did not happen. To make matters worse, Magellan flew the fleet too far north, perhaps not to meet the Portuguese ships, expanding the voyage.
The crew lived without fresh food for more than three months. Hard rain and strong wind made their travels difficult, and people suffered from disease, despite efforts to keep ships safe. During the crossing, Magellan lost 19 crew members and one boat.
By the time the crew made it to the Philippines, which they initially believed to be the Space Islands, Magellan had become intense and irrational. He did not find any spices, instead opting to “become the exclusive European trader and official face of one of the islands in the Philippines,” says Nadar. The most reliable version of what happened next says that Magellan insisted on the men in what is known today as the "Battle of Mactan" and refused any outside help to show the natives his invincibility.
From a geographical point of view, the significance of this first travel around the world it was huge. It was the turning point that separates the ancient period in the field of geography from the new era. Before Magellan, the sphericity of the Earth, even though theoretically, was recognized by scientists, but still the doctrine of the sphericity of the Earth was just a mental construction. The return of the ship "Victoria", set off to the west, from the east was the strongest argument in the system of evidence that the Earth is a large ball. The journey of Magellan and de Elcano thus contributed to the spread and strengthening in the minds of people of the idea of the sphericity of the Earth, somewhat strange for the human mind. No preconceived opinion could resist the persuasive force of fact, and the voyage of the Victoria dealt another powerful blow to the old cosmographic concepts.
The Spanish were quickly defeated and Magellan was killed. The rest of the crew continued to return to Spain, although only 18 men and one boat returned safely. The strait originally named Eescho de Todos Los Santos Magellan, was renamed the Strait of Magellan by the Spanish king in honor of the fallen explorer.
Today Magellan is still recognized as the first explorer to sail around the world, although he himself never completed the journey. His legacy lives on today in both Portuguese and Spanish cultures. “He was to a large extent part of the most important generation of Portuguese who discovered East Asia", Says Levenson. He was an important figure in the history of Portuguese history, and then because of all the treatment he received, he became an important figure in the history of Spain.
The fact that the Earth is a huge ball freely hanging in space had a huge impact on all human thinking, immense horizons immediately opened up before the human mind, and a new question unwittingly arose before man: if our Earth is a ball, and, therefore, is the same celestial body as the Sun and the Moon, then maybe it does not stand still, but revolves around the Sun along with other planets? This idea was tried to substantiate and prove the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, who published his famous book on the Earth's circulation in 1548, that is, twenty-one years after the return of Juan Sebastian de Elcano from his trip around the world.
Open water now extends across the Arctic, making it possible for the first time in human history to make a round-the-world trip to the North Pole, the Independent may show on Sunday. New satellite imagery taken just two days ago show that last week's ice melt revealed both legendary northwest and northeast passages, in the most important geographic point today to signal the unexpectedly rapid progress of global warming.
Some scientists predict that in the summer it may disappear within five years, and a process that itself will accelerate significantly. But Sarah Palin, John McCain's new assistant, believes the scientific consensus that global warming is melting the Arctic ice is unreliable.
Before leaving our planet for the first time and reaching the Moon, people needed to know as accurately as possible what would be needed for such a distant expedition. Thanks to the latest technology, they were also able to communicate with the stations that controlled the flight. However, the journey of Fernand Magellan, who took command of five ships, looked completely different. In contrast to the first situation, the sailors did not go along a pre-designed route, but into the unknown, into the depths of the waters, where they had never been. If a book were written about this expedition and this person, it would undoubtedly have a title like: "Fernand Magellan - the history of a trip around the world." On the other hand, the name could have been more interesting. Such a novel could be called: “Fernand Magellan - conquistador in Indian Ocean". Whatever the title of this book, it would be a tale of faith and valor. So let's find out what gave us, modern people. We will also be able to see what Fernand Magellan discovered.
The opening of the passages - eagerly awaited by shipping companies hoping to cut thousands of kilometers from their routes by sailing around northern Canada and Russia - is just the biggest of many ominous signs this month in the wake of the Arctic collection crisis.
Four weeks ago, tourists were supposed to be evacuated from national park Auyuittuk on Baffin Island due to flooding from melting glaciers. Auyuittuk means "the land that never melts." Two weeks later, in an unprecedented sighting, nine stranded polar bears were seen in Alaska trying to swim 400 miles north of the retreating edge of the ice sheet. Ten days ago, massive cracking was reported at the Petermann Glacier in the far north of Greenland, which appears to have been unaffected by global warming.
What gave Magellan's voyage
This daring journey is referred to as an unusually courageous feat of all times and peoples. It influenced people's ideas about our planet and went down in history as the first under the leadership of Fernand Magellan. Thanks to this man it became known that America and Asia are separated by a huge amount of water, that there is a common World Ocean on our planet. At the end of this journey, no one doubted or argued about the fact that it expanded the capabilities of scientists of that time, allowing them to accurately calculate the size of our planet.
Until recently, both have been blocked by ice since the beginning of the last ice age. But images collected by NASA using microwave sensors penetrating the clouds show that the northwest passage opened last weekend and that the last blockage in the northeast - a tongue of ice extending to Russia across the Laptev Sea in Siberia - has been dissolved a few days later. ...
The passages are open, Professor Serrese said, although he warned that the authorities were reluctant to confirm this, fearing lawsuits if ships collided with ice after being asked to enter. This is a historic event. We will see this more and more as the years go by.
Fernand Magellan's introduction to sea travel
This man was born not among the poor, but among the noble. Therefore, of course, he did what all young noble youths did in those days - he had to become a page at the royal court. From that moment in his life, this man began to learn more about outstanding travels. Here he learned of a recent voyage that had returned from the shores of America. There he took part in an active search for a western route by sea to the "Spice Islands" (meaning Indonesia). With more communication with these people, young Fernand, most likely, already imagines a life full of adventure.
Shipping companies are already preparing to use new routes. But scientists say such controversy will soon become irrelevant if the ice continues to melt, allowing sailing directly across the North Pole. Record ice loss in the past year has reached a level that is not expected to happen until Skeptics dismiss the unprecedented melting as an ugly event, and it has indeed been exacerbated by wind currents and other natural weather, experts say.
Conditions were better this year - it was cooler, especially last winter, and for a while it seemed like the ice loss wasn't all that bad. But the melting has accelerated this month. Four weeks ago, a seven-year study at the University of Alberta reported that, in addition to shrinking in area, the ice thickness had been cut in half in just six years. He suggested that the region "has shifted to a different climatic state, when completely icy summers will soon become normal."
Abrupt change of events
However, in 1495, a great tragedy occurs - João II dies, and yet he treated the young man so well. As a result of this misfortune, power falls into the hands of Manuel I, who does not think about scientific discoveries, but about their wealth and respect. For the young dreamer, everything changes. Despite Magellan's numerous requests to organize a sea expedition, the ruler remains adamant. More than 10 years after the death of the previous king, Fernand is allowed to sail. This young but enterprising young man is sent on a military swim to intercept ships with spices from Arab merchants. After some time, he again goes to sea and reaches Malacca. True, despite all the efforts of the young man, for his courage and courage, the king sends him to "retire", allocating a small allowance, and dismisses him from service.
"If the misconceptions about the genesis of the world described in Genesis prevail, all divine promises will be lost, and our religion will lose its life." Reformed theologian Peter Martyr of Vermigli. In our time, and at least since Copernicus, countless astronomical, biological, geographical discoveries shook the medieval worldview on which Christian teachings were based - partly still today. But all the denials of Christian theologies evaporated without much effect - to the horror of enlightened philosophers and scientists who think in the material plane.
Magellan does not give up
Despite all the difficulties, our hero did not despair. The former sailor João from Lisbon helps him to lift his spirits. Together they negotiate how best to get to the coveted "spice islands". Both conclude that this can be done by heading southwest and sailing across the ocean to the newly discovered Balboa. It seems to both one and the other that "spice islands" are located on the other side of this ocean. So, our traveler is inspired by a seemingly quite incredible idea - to explore the western route to the East. However, even in those days, ships were not built without money, and expeditions were not organized. Therefore, Magellan began to seek financial support. Realizing that Manuel cannot find the help he needs, Fernand decides to turn to the Spanish king.
The irrefutable proof of the spherical shape of the earth was in fact of little religious or philosophical significance. For ancient philosophers and even medieval theologians were familiar with the Earth as a sphere. Even if one or other church teachers, such as Lucius Caecilius Fircius, wanted to acknowledge him as a contradiction with the Bible.
Many could not understand why no one eluded the globe at the equator and did not fall anywhere. Portuguese sailors have crossed the equator several times in the century. But so many ordinary people still couldn't believe in Earth as a globe before traveling around the world provided definitive proof.
Fernand Magellan and the Spanish king
The king of Spain turns out to be much smarter than Manuel, with whom Magellan had disagreements. This young monarch not only does not interfere with the navigator, but is personally interested in discovering and using the western route to the "Spice Islands". For him, this seems quite reasonable, since the opening of this route would once and for all put an end to his enmity with the Portuguese navigators on the sea routes. The monarch likes the opportunity to take over the "spice islands" over time. On that and decided. The king decides that Magellan's journey can be carried out using five old wooden ships (apparently, the monarch decided to save money here too). So Fernand is appointed commander-in-chief of this small Spanish flotilla.
It is the merit of one man, above all, that small, poor Portugal rose to become an important naval power of the century. Prince Henry, later called the "navigator", was the younger brother of the reigning king. They even swam regularly in South America... Most interested in shipping, Prince Heinrich the Navigator - who never commanded a ship - was able to draw on his knowledge, whose assets contribute to marine exploration and expedition equipment. The captains sent by him gradually explored the shores of West Africa.
They were scouting voyages in tiny ships - with a Templar cross in their sails - to unknown areas that swirled wild horror stories. As such, it was not easy to find the captains and crews who ventured on the legendary adventures of the caravels into the unknown.
The expedition is ready
Finally, after much preparation for a whole year, the travelers set sail on September 20, 1519. So they continue their voyage until March 31 of the next year. During this time, they were able to reach the territory that is known today as Argentina. However, the entire team is desperate because they cannot find the necessary isthmus to cross to another ocean. Because of what a rebellion breaks out in the flotilla. At this moment, it is worth paying tribute to Magellan, they managed to quickly suppress this rebellion. Two of the rioters lost their lives.
Prince Henry was no longer allowed to experience the phenomenal success of his efforts. From today, Columbus's discovery of America was more significant than the Portuguese trip to India. Columbus was also looking for a route to India in the service of Spain and throughout his life did not realize that he had not found a way to Asia, but discovered a new continent.
In the twentieth century, the spice trade brought great wealth with Of the Far East to Portugal: nutmeg, perfume, pepper, porcelain, saffron, silk, cinnamon, sugar. In much larger Spain, lucrative trade has arrived in India as well as in other maritime countries in Europe.
What Fernand Magellan discovered on his journey
Throughout the journey, the team underwent many difficulties, but also reached its final goal. What did Fernand Magellan discover? During the journey, they gave names to some territories. For example, modern Patagonia owes its name to this expedition. Seeing people with a strong physique, the team felt like gnomes against the background of these "robust" ("Patagonia" - Spanish. "Big-legged"). A full year after the start of the voyage, the three remaining ships overcome what it is called today (one ship crashed a few months earlier, and the other left the travelers and sailed back to Spain). It also owes its name to Magellan Pacific Ocean... The navigator named it so because, in comparison with the previous ones, they were never overtaken by a storm there. 
A line, say, in longitude, separated the spheres of influence of two great exploration countries: the lands to the west of this meridian were supposed to go to Spain, and to the east - to Portugal. Thus, even Brazil became Portuguese through which longitude ran east. The Spaniards were banned by the Treaty of Tordesillas from the eastern sea route to Africa to India and the Spice Islands.
Conflicts between European countries were preprogrammed by this treaty. For the British, the French and Dutch also wanted to participate in international trade with India and the spice islands in the east, and discovered trading stations that would later become colonies.
Was this journey worth what Fernand Magellan discovered? Judge for yourself. However, for the navigator himself, this trip was very expensive.
Death of a famous traveler
Due to the fact that he intervened in the conflict between the tribes, the navigator paid with his life. Only the ship "Victoria" - one of five - returned to its home harbor. Thus ended the story of how Fernand Magellan first circumnavigation made it famous all over the world. Traveling mentally with him, we were able to better understand what feelings people experienced when they decided on this desperate feat. Now we know Fernand Magellan well. What and where he discovered - we also now know.
Ferdinand Magellan
Therefore, he could not hope that his king would grant him a dream: an expedition to India on the Western Route, which was already looking for Columbus. Portugal has just opened the eastern sea route to India, gaining a monopoly on the highly profitable spice trade. Therefore for spanish crown the western sea route to India was of great interest. The eastern route was closed to her by the Treaty of Tordesillas. Forty-year-old Magellan leaves his Portuguese homeland without further ado and offers his services to a Spanish competition where he can inspire influential people to his plans.
