Copy - Amerigo Vespucci

How did the Americas get it's name?

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A Curious Mind Sets Sail Amerigo Vespucci was born in Florence, Italy, in 1454. From a young age, he was fascinated by maps and stories of exploration. He worked for powerful merchants who traded goods across the seas, which sparked his curiosity about the world beyond Europe. Vespucci later traveled to Spain and helped prepare ships for long voyages. His passion for discovery led him to join expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean, searching for new lands.

Discovering a “New World” In the late 1490s, Vespucci set out on several voyages to explore the coasts of South America. At first, explorers like Christopher Columbus believed they had reached Asia. But Vespucci noticed something unusual —the constellations, plants, animals, and people were different from anything found in Asia or Europe. He realized these lands must be part of an entirely new continent. This bold idea changed how Europeans saw the world.

Mapping the Unknown Vespucci was not only a traveler but also a skilled navigator — someone who uses maps, stars, and instruments to find direction at sea. He carefully recorded what he saw and shared his observations through letters that were later published. These writings gave readers in Europe a better understanding of the geography of the Americas. His descriptions helped future explorers make more accurate maps of the continents. Vespucci’s detailed work helped shape Europe’s understanding of the Western Hemisphere.

Underline the context clue that helps you understand the definition of a "navigator".

A Name That Lasted After Vespucci’s letters spread across Europe, a German mapmaker named Martin Waldseemüller created a new world map in 1507. On it, he labeled the newly found continent “America” in Vespucci’s honor, using the Latin version of his first name, Americus. Over time, both the North and South American continents came to share that name. Though Vespucci didn’t set out to have continents named after him, his discoveries left a lasting mark on world geography. His work reminded people that curiosity and careful observation could lead to great discoveries.

"America's Birth Certificate"

A World Forever Changed Vespucci continued to work in exploration until his death in 1512. His ideas encouraged others to question old maps and think differently about the world. The realization that the Americas were separate continents expanded trade, exploration, and cultural exchange. His contributions helped launch what became known as the Age of Exploration, a time when many countries set sail to discover new lands. Amerigo Vespucci proved that one person’s curiosity can truly reshape how humanity sees the world.

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If Amerigo Vespucci was born in 1454, which century was he born in?

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