University of Calgary
European Voyages of Exploration: 15th & 16th Centuries
This award-winning website from the University of Calgary's History Department is both impressive and extensive. It focuses on Portuguese and Spanish expeditions of the 15th and 16th centuries (the sitemap provides a good outline of...
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Ferdinand Magellan's Voyage Round the World
A recount by a member of the crew of the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan to the Philippines in the 16th century, where he was killed, and of the remaining voyage his crew took in the eastern oceans, then back to Spain.
A&E Television
Biography: Ferdinand Magellan
A biography on the life and voyages of 16th century Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, who was the first to circumnavigate the globe, although he did not survive the journey. Magellan was Portuguese but he commanded a Spanish fleet.
A&E Television
Biography: Francisco Pizarro
A biography of 16th century Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro, who traveled with Vasco Nunez de Balboa and helped to discover the Pacific Ocean. Pizarro also conquered Peru and founded the city of Lima there.
A&E Television
Biography: Juan Ponce De Leon
A biography of Juan Ponce de Leon, a Spanish explorer from the 15th and 16th centuries. He was at one point the governor of Puerto Rico, and is credited with discovering Florida. Ponce de Leon is also remembered for having searched the...
A&E Television
History.com: Ferdinand Magellan
A biography of Ferdinand Magellan, a 16th century Portuguese explorer who travelled with a Spanish fleet, and an account of his voyage around the world, from which he did not return.
A&E Television
History.com: Vasco Da Gama
A biography of Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and a summary of his voyages.
Other
Nova Albion Research: Sir Francis Drake
Extensive information about Sir Francis Drake and his voyage around the world in the 16th century.
The History Cat
The History Cat: Vasco De Gama
Vasco da Gama (this is the accepted spelling) was a Portuguese explorer from the 15th and 16th centuries who established the first trade route to India that went around the southern tip of Africa. Read about his life, his...
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Vasco Da Gama
A biography of Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Jacques Cartier
Biographical information on French explorer, Jacque Cartier. Cartier is particularly recognized for his contributions of European exploration in Canada in the 16th century.
Curated OER
Photograph: A 17th Century Astrolabe Found Near Cobden, Ontario
A look at mapmaking during the time of the explorers. The site profiles various mapmaking tools and the history of mapmaking from the 16th to the 18th century.
Curated OER
Unesco: Tanzania: Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Ruins of Songo Mnara
The remains of two great East African ports admired by early European explorers are situated on two small islands near the coast. From the 13th to the 16th century, the merchants of Kilwa dealt in gold, silver, pearls, perfumes, Arabian...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Arkansas: Parkin Indian Mound
A Late Mississippian and protohistoric palisaded village with one mound; may be the town of Casqui mentioned by 16th century Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
A&E Television
History.com: Native American History Timeline
Before Christopher Columbus came to America, the expansive territory was inhabited by Native Americans. Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, as more explorers sought to colonize their land, Native Americans responded in various...
Curated OER
Image: The Mariner's Compass
A look at mapmaking during the time of the explorers. The site profiles various mapmaking tools and the history of mapmaking from the 16th to the 18th century.