What happened in the 16th century exploration?

16th century exploration was a period of intense European exploration of the world. This period saw the rise of powerful maritime nations such as Spain, Portugal, England, and France, who competed to establish colonies and trade routes in the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Here are some of the key events that took place during the 16th century exploration:

* 1492: Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer in the service of Spain, reached the Americas, sparking the European colonization of the New World.

* 1497: Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, reached India, establishing a direct sea route between Europe and Asia.

* 1519-1522: Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer in the service of Spain, led the first expedition to circumnavigate the world.

* 1521: Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, defeated the Aztec Empire and established Spanish rule in Mexico.

* 1532: Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish conquistador, defeated the Inca Empire and established Spanish rule in Peru.

* 1542: Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo, a Portuguese explorer in the service of Spain, explored the west coast of North America, from present-day California to Oregon.

* 1565: Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, a Spanish explorer, founded St. Augustine, Florida, the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States.

* 1577-1580: Sir Francis Drake, an English explorer, circumnavigated the world.

These are just a few of the many important events that took place during the 16th century exploration. This period of exploration had a profound impact on the world, shaping the course of history and laying the foundation for the modern world.