--- title: "Who was the first to sail around the world?" description: "Who was the first to sail around the world?" author: "Samar Singh" published: 2018-02-01 updated: 2023-12-19 canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/33928/who-was-the-first-to-sail-around-the-world category: "general knowledge" tags: ["general knowledge"] reading_time: 1 minute --- # Who was the first to sail around the world? Who was the first to sail around the [world](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/87368/the-mitrokhin-files-the-kgb-s-hidden-hand-in-world-affairs-part-1-infiltration)? ## Answers ### Answer by Saumya Mishra While awarding the title of "**first circumnavigator of the globe**" requires nuance, the epic odyssey of two remarkable men, **Ferdinand Magellan** and **Juan Sebastián Elcano**, deserves its spotlight. Magellan, the visionary Portuguese navigator, conceived and initiated the ambitious expedition in **1519**. However, his tragic demise during a battle in the Philippines left the unfinished task to Elcano, his Basque lieutenant. Elcano, displaying exceptional leadership and navigational skills, steered the remaining ship, the [Victoria](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85134/exploring-indian-art-and-culture-5-best-museums-and-galleries-to-visit), through treacherous waters and uncharted territories. He braved mutinies, storms, and dwindling supplies, eventually navigating around the [**Cape of Good Hope**](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/39796/who-is-discovered-sea-route-in-india) and back to Spain in **1522**. This arduous journey, spanning t**hree years** and traversing over **50,000 kilometers**, achieved the seemingly impossible. It proved the Earth's sphericity, revolutionized cartography, and opened new trade routes, forever altering the course of global exploration and reshaping cultural and [economic](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85880/india-s-economy-continues-to-show-strong-growth) landscapes. --- Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/33928/who-was-the-first-to-sail-around-the-world Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.