Leif Erikson was the son of Erik the Red, who founded the first permanent Norse settlement in Greenland. In the early 11th century, Leif Erikson led an expedition to the west, likely following stories told by Bjarni Herjólfsson, who had glimpsed land west of Greenland a few years earlier.
Leif Erikson's expedition reached Newfoundland, which he named "Vinland" (meaning "Wine-land") because of the abundance of wild grapes he found there. He established a settlement at Vinland, but it was short-lived due to conflicts with the indigenous people of the region.
Leif Erikson returned to Greenland and continued his explorations of the North Atlantic. He is also credited with discovering Baffin Island and the St. Lawrence River.
Leif Erikson's voyages were significant because they marked the beginning of European exploration and colonization of North America. His achievements contributed to the growth of knowledge about the geography of the world during the Middle Ages.
Leif Erikson is considered a legendary figure in Scandinavian history and is widely celebrated as a courageous explorer and a pioneer of transatlantic travel.