Magellan-Elcano Circumnavigation
The Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation was the Spanish expedition of 1519 to 1522, begun under Ferdinand Magellan and completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano aboard the Victoria, that made the first known voyage around the world.
What happened and why it matters
The circumnavigation proved that the world's oceans form one connected system, the premise of every global shipping network today. Five ships and about 270 men left Spain in September 1519. Magellan was killed in the Philippines in April 1521, and only the Victoria, under Elcano, returned to Spain on September 6, 1522, with 18 European survivors. The voyage also showed the cost of long, unsupported routes, with ships lost to wrecks, desertion, and decay. Carriers today manage the same exposure with fuel planning, regular port calls, and service rotations that keep ships and crews supplied.
Related events
Sources
- Magellan expedition en.wikipedia.org
- Ferdinand Magellan summary britannica.com