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Giovanni VerrazzanoItalian traveler of the early sixteenth century.
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
Biography of Giovanni da Verrazzano
Early Life and CareerGiovanni da Verrazzano was an Italian explorer of the early 16th century. Born into an aristocratic family in southern Florence, little is known about his personal life. Between 1506 and 1513, he moved to Dieppe in Normandy, where he began working as a navigator. In this position, he embarked on several voyages in the Mediterranean Sea.
Exploration of North America
In 1523, Verrazzano was hired by King Francis I of France to explore the area between Florida and Newfoundland and to determine if there was a sea passage through the new lands to the Pacific Ocean. On March 1, 1524, his ship "La Dauphine" reached Cape Fear. After a short break, he decided to explore the coastline further.
Giovanni sailed past the territory of present-day North Carolina and reached Pamlico Sound. In a letter to Francis I, he expressed his firm belief that this was the beginning of the sought-after passage, which would undoubtedly provide France with convenient access to China. This message led to one of many serious errors that would only clarify the contours of America on maps in the 20th century.
In addition to his exploration, Verrazzano established contacts with local Native American tribes. After passing Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River, he reached the New York Bay, where his cartographers recorded a vast lake, which turned out to be the Hudson River upon further examination. The expedition then sailed past Long Island and entered Narragansett Bay, where they were once again met by Native Americans. After reaching Newfoundland, Giovanni analyzed the collected data and set course for France.
Later Expeditions and Death
The quality of Verrazzano's work impressed the king, and he sent him on two more expeditions to North America. There are several stories about the explorer's death. The most popular one claims that in 1528, while exploring Florida with a small group, he encountered a rather aggressive tribe and unfortunately met his demise. Others say he was captured and eaten by Caribbean cannibals. Some assert that Giovanni was captured by Spanish military forces, tried for piracy, and hanged. Regardless, the year of his death remains consistent in all versions - 1528.
