Who is the first to explore the world?

Answer 1

1. Early Human Migrants (~60,000 years ago)

The first explorers were early humans who migrated out of Africa, gradually spreading across continents. They weren’t explorers in the modern sense, but they were the original world travelers.

2. Pytheas of Massalia (c. 4th century BCE)

A Greek explorer who sailed from the Mediterranean to Britain and possibly Iceland—very early for long-distance seafaring in Europe.

3. Zheng He (15th century)

A Chinese admiral who led massive naval expeditions across the Indian ocean decades before Europeans began global navigation.

4. Leif Erikson (~1000 AD)

A Norse explorer believed to be the first European to reach North America centuries before Columbus.

5. Ferdinand Magellan (1519–1522)

While Magellan himself died during the journey, his expedition was the first to circumnavigate the globe, proving the Earth could be traveled around by sea.

So, there’s no single “first”, but if you're asking who first explored the entire world, Magellan’s expedition is the most recognized milestone in global exploration.

Answer 2

The title of the "first to explore the world" can be subjective, as exploration has occurred in various forms throughout history. However, the ancient Polynesians are often credited with being among the first to navigate vast ocean distances, reaching islands across the Pacific. Additionally, figures like Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus are notable for their explorations during the Age of Discovery, which significantly expanded European knowledge of the world. Each of these explorers contributed to our understanding of geography and cultures beyond their own.