What were the major explorations and discoveries during the Renaissance?

During the Renaissance, there were several major explorations and discoveries that had a significant impact on the world. Some of the notable ones include:

1. Christopher Columbus' Voyages: Columbus, an Italian explorer, embarked on several voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, discovering the Americas in 1492. His expeditions opened up new trade routes and led to the colonization of the New World by European powers.

2. Vasco da Gama's Voyage to India: Da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, successfully sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and reached India in 1498. This discovery established a direct sea route from Europe to Asia, bypassing the Ottoman Empire and facilitating lucrative trade with the East.

3. Ferdinand Magellan's Circumnavigation: Magellan, a Portuguese explorer sailing under the Spanish flag, led the first circumnavigation of the globe from 1519 to 1522. This expedition proved that the Earth was round and significantly expanded European knowledge of the world.

4. Amerigo Vespucci's Exploration of the New World: Vespucci, an Italian explorer, explored the coast of South America and concluded that it was a separate continent, not part of Asia. This realization led to the naming of the continent as "America" in his honor.

5. Nicolaus Copernicus' Heliocentric Theory: Copernicus, a Polish astronomer, proposed the heliocentric model of the universe, which stated that the Earth and other planets revolve around the sun. This revolutionary idea challenged the prevailing geocentric view and laid the foundation for modern astronomy.

These explorations and discoveries during the Renaissance era greatly expanded geographical knowledge, challenged existing beliefs, and paved the way for further scientific advancements and global exploration in the centuries to come.