What were the major discoveries made by Captain James Cook?

Captain James Cook made several major discoveries during his voyages of exploration. Here are some of the most significant ones:

1. Mapping of New Zealand: During his first voyage (1768-1771), Cook circumnavigated and mapped the entire coastline of New Zealand, providing the first accurate charts of the islands. He also established friendly relations with the indigenous Maori people.

2. Charting the East Coast of Australia: Cook's first voyage also led to the discovery and mapping of the eastern coast of Australia. He claimed the region for Britain and named it New South Wales. This laid the foundation for the later colonization of Australia.

3. Exploration of the Pacific: Cook's second voyage (1772-1775) focused on exploring the Pacific Ocean. He crossed the Antarctic Circle and became the first recorded person to cross the Antarctic Circle twice. Cook also discovered several Pacific islands, including the Society Islands, the Cook Islands, and the Hawaiian Islands.

4. Mapping of Hawaii: During his third voyage (1776-1779), Cook became the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands. He accurately mapped the islands and named them the Sandwich Islands after his patron, the Earl of Sandwich.

5. Exploration of the Northwest Passage: Cook's third voyage also aimed to find the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Arctic. Although he did not find the passage, Cook explored the coast of Alaska and made significant contributions to the understanding of the region.

6. Accurate Measurement of Time: Cook's voyages were also instrumental in the development of accurate timekeeping at sea. He worked closely with the Royal Society and used newly invented marine chronometers to determine longitude accurately, improving navigation and making future exploration easier.

Overall, Captain James Cook's major discoveries greatly expanded European knowledge of the Pacific, including the accurate mapping of New Zealand, Australia's east coast, and Hawaii. His voyages also contributed to scientific understanding, cartography, and navigation techniques, leaving a lasting impact on the history of exploration.