Other
Nova Albion Research: Sir Francis Drake
Extensive information about Sir Francis Drake and his voyage around the world in the 16th century.
Yale University
Avalon Project Yale Law School: Charter to Raleigh
Text of the Royal Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh (1584) signed by Queen Elizabeth I of England granting him lands and rights in the New World.
Mariners' Museum and Park
Age of Exploration: Christopher Columbus: The Second Voyage
A report of Christopher Columbus' second voyage to the New World. Find out what islands he visited in the Caribbean, and discover how successful he was in finding riches.
Read Works
Read Works: The Southeast Exploring the "Land of the Flowers"
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the Spanish explorers who discovered Florida, the land of flowers. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
PublicBookshelf Corporation
Our Country, Vol. I: Panfilo De Narvaez
From a history book published in the late 19th century, this account of the exploits of Panfilo de Narvaez in the new world relies primarily on an account by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, upon his return to Spain.
A&E Television
History.com: 10 Things You May Not Know About Christopher Columbus
Check out 10 things you may not know about the explorer who sailed the ocean blue in 1492 for example, Columbus didn't set out to prove the earth was round.
Other
The Norse Settlers in the New World
Features a time line of the events of the Viking voyages to Canada. Identifies different events that occurred during this time period of early Viking exploration.
NOAA
Noaa: Ocean Explorer: Thunder Bay Sinkholes 2008: Cells That Changed the World [Pdf]
A class experiment on cyanobacteria and green algae. The lesson is based on research conducted during a 2008 expedition to study sinkholes in the waters near Thunder Bay, Ontario. An annotated list of websites with source materials and...
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...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Age of Exploration: Christopher Columbus
The story of Christopher Columbus, of how he became an explorer, his encounter with the Arawak people in the Caribbean, and the exaggerated tales he told the King and Queen of Spain when he returned to Europe.
Curated OER
Macmillan/mc Graw Hill: The World, Vol. 1: Changing Ideas: Lesson 2 Quiz
Choose the correct answer for each of the ten multiple choice questions to evaluate your comprehension of exploration during the Enlightenment.
Wisconsin Historical Society
American Journeys: Eyewitness Accounts Early American Exploration/settlement
A collaborative project of the Wisconsin Historical Society and National History Day, this site contains over 18,000 pages of primary source, eyewitness accounts of North American exploration starting with the Vikings.
University of California
Uc Santa Barbara: What Brought the Europeans to America?
Short essay addresses reasons that brought the Europeans to America. Covering many important points, he also provides compelling reasons and a map.
abcteach
Abcteach: Social Studies: History
[Free Registration/Login Required] A directory of history resources (games, activities, puzzles, graphics) to be used as part of elementary study of Ancient Egypt and Greece, the Middle Ages, the Revolutionary War, and other topics....
Library of Congress
Loc: Hispanic Reading Room: The First Circumnavigation of the Globe
As part of a larger site that explores the Portuguese role in mapping the New World, this brief article talks about the legacy of Magellan, a Portuguese-born explorer for Spain whose crew was the first to circumnavigate the globe. Find...
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Ferdinand Magellan
A biography of the first man to sail around the globe. Discover the details of Ferdinand Magellan's life and contributions to world history.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Sir Francis Drake's Famous Voyage 1580
Fordham University provides this primary source document that was written by Sir Francis Drake's Gentlemen at Arms, Francis Pretty. It is his personal records of the voyage Drake took around the world in 1577, which began in the South...
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Juan De La Cosa
A brief biography of Juan de la Cosa who sailed with both Columbus and Vespucci. His famous chart of the world is the oldest representation of the New World. Please note that "The Catholic Encyclopedia," is a historic reference source...
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Leif Ericson Facts
Covers information about the life of Leif Ericson and his involvement in the exploration and the discovery of the New World leading to the colonization of America.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Amerigo Vespucci Facts
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Amerigo Vespucci who demonstrated that the New World was not Asia but an unknown new continent.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Ferdinand Magellan Facts
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Ferdinand Magellan who lead the first expedition around the world.
Other
Boglewood: Portugal's Da Gama Opens Sea Route to India
A glance at Da Gama's journey to India, with attention to its influence on Venice. Also provides a link with information on Columbus's discovery of the New World.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Ghana: History
Find out about the history of Ghana from its beginnings, its place as a British protectorate, and the problems and eventual successes it has had since its independence. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Liberia: History
A thorough look at the history of Liberia with an emphasis on the civil war and the recent recovery from that unstable time. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.