Which of the following contributions is attributed to Ferdinand Magellan?

• A. Establishing the first trade route to India
• B. Mapping the northern territories of the Americas
• C. Circumnavigating the globe
• D. Discovering the continent of Australia

Answer: (C)

Ferdinand Magellan is renowned for his expedition that led to the first successful circumnavigation of the globe, which is why this contribution is correctly identified. This monumental journey, which began in 1519, proved that the Earth was round and that it was possible to sail around it. Although Magellan himself did not complete the entire voyage—he was killed in the Philippines in 1521—his fleet continued the journey and returned to Spain in 1522, effectively demonstrating the interconnectedness of the world’s oceans and the vast expanses of the Earth.

In contrast, the establishment of trade routes to India is primarily credited to earlier explorers such as Vasco da Gama. Mapping the northern territories of the Americas falls more under the achievements of explorers such as John Cabot or later figures in the Age of Exploration. The discovery of Australia is often attributed to explorers like Abel Tasman. Therefore, the distinctive achievement of circumnavigating the globe clearly stands out as Magellan’s significant contribution to maritime exploration.