Ferdinand Magellan (Portuguese: Fernão de Magalhães, IPA pronunciation: //; Spanish: Fernando or Hernando de Magallanes; Spring 1480–April 27, 1521) was a Portuguese maritime explorer who led the first successful attempt to sail around the entire Earth. He did not complete his final voyage; he was killed during the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines. He did, however, die farther west than the Spice Islands, which he had visited on earlier voyages, making him one of the first individuals to cross all the meridians of the globe. He became the first person to lead an expedition sailing westward from Europe to Asia and to cross the Pacific Ocean.
Of the 237 or 270 crew members who set out with Magellan to circumnavigate the globe, only 18 managed to return to Spain and thereby complete the circumnavigation. They were led by Spaniard Juan Sebastián Elcano, who took over command of the expedition after Magellan's death.
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Magellan, Ferdinand :: Explorers

Ferdinand Magellan - Short biographical article from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Meta Description: [ Short biographical article on the Portuguese explorer (1480-1521) ]
Ferdinand Magellan - Biography from the Mariners' Museum, Newport News, Virginia.
Magellan's Demise - Historically critical narrative focusing on Magellan's death.
Meta Description: [ Explorer Magellan brings disaster upon himself in an ill-timed invasion of a remote island of crafty natives. ]
Magellan's Voyage Round the World - Verbose account made in 1524 of Magellan's voyage.
The First to Sail Around the World - National Maritime Museum fact file answers common questions about Ferdinand Magellan.
Meta Description: [ Over 150 fact files are available from the Museum covering themes as diverse as astronomy and space, Greenwich and time. ]
The Greatest Voyager of Them All - Biographical and historical essay by Raymond Schuessler.
The Magellan Venus Explorer's Guide - Provides a short biography of the explorer.
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The Voyage around the World - Essay entitled After dire straits, an agonizing haul across the Pacific by Simon Winchester.
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