Travellers of the great geographical discoveries… Whoever reads about the brave wanderers of the Middle Ages, who tried to open more profitable trade routes or perpetuate their name, imagines with delight how this happened. Enthusiastic sea lovers smell the sea water and see the open sails of frigates in front of them. What is most surprising is how great travelers could survive their adventures in reality, showing so much perseverance and resourcefulness. Thanks to them, the world learned about new lands and oceans.
The Reality of Dangerous Journeys
It's a pity that in fact the great travelers could not always feel the taste of romance: their ships were wrecked, and the whole crew could get sick with an illness unprecedented in those days. The sailors themselves, who ventured to new discoveries, had to endure hardships, they were often overtaken by death. There is nothing surprising that today many people are so admired by their courage and determination! Anyway, thanks to some of thetravelers discovered new continents, and some of them made an invaluable contribution to world geography. With the help of historical documents that contain eyewitness accounts or notes from ship's logs, we can have plausible accounts of their travels. However, it is a pity that the great geographical travelers rarely achieved what they aspired to.
Christopher Columbus in pursuit of spices and gold
It's about a man who all his life dreamed of going on a long voyage. Like anyone else in his place, he understood that he could not do without financial support, and it was not so easy to get it from the rich and unwilling to share their finances of the monarchs. Where did the desperate traveler want to go? He longed with all his heart to find the shortest western route to India, which at that time was famous for its spices, worth its weight in gold.
Trying to prove his case, Columbus continued to repeatedly come to the Spanish king and queen for a long eight years. It is worth noting that there were many flaws in his plan. Despite the fact that scientists were already convinced of the spherical shape of the Earth, the question was which strip of the world's oceans separates Europe from Asia. As it turned out later, Christopher made two gross mistakes. First, he assumed that the territory of Asia occupies a much larger area than it actually was and is. Secondly, Columbus underestimated the size of our planet by a full quarter.
FirstColumbus expedition
Be that as it may, "knock and it will be opened to you": the expedition was approved, three ships were equipped for the voyage. The enterprising Spanish monarchs were eager not only for profitable trade routes - they were pleased with the very idea of converting the eastern countries to Catholicism. And on August 3, 1492, about 90 people set off on a long voyage. They sailed many nautical miles, but the rich lands did not appear on the horizon. Columbus constantly had to reassure his team, sometimes even downplaying the actual distances covered on a protracted journey. And finally, as it might seem, they achieved their goal! Where did our tireless sailors get to?
The land his team reached was the Bahamas. There every now and then naked natives met, and the tropical climate was conducive to relaxation. But in any case, this was not at all what great travelers set off for, leaving their homes and families behind. After a two-week rest, the sailors went on and reached Cuba. Columbus could not calm down because he could not find either spices or gold.
Further, the odyssey continued to the east, where the coveted gold was discovered. This happened on the island, which Columbus gave the name of La Isla Hispaniola (now Hispaniola). Christopher Columbus already dreamed of how these lands would be subject to the Spanish crown. He was expected to return home and huge honors, as well as another trip.
Subsequent expeditionsColumbus
The following year, a whole armada set off with Columbus, consisting of 17 ships and more than 1200 people. There were many soldiers and priests among the people. The Spaniards wanted to turn the new lands into colonies, and make the inhabitants Catholics. Columbus still wanted to reach the shores of India.
Two subsequent voyages to East India only slightly increased the navigator's happiness. Be that as it may, the sea routes that were designated by him contributed to the colonization of the whole mainland - North America. His accomplishments have turned the world upside down.
Vasco da Gama - the great navigator
Vasco da Gama lived a little earlier than Columbus, and has already opened the way to India, skirting Africa. Preparations for his long journey began long before he was born - how different this case from what happened to Columbus! The Portuguese monarchs understood the importance of the spice trade. Manuel I - the king of Portugal - believed that only a person who, as one historian put it, "would combine the courage of a soldier with the cunning of a merchant and the tact of a diplomat" could become the head of an expedition. According to the king, it was Vasco da Gama who was suitable for this role.
In terms of natural skills and enterprise, this man was very different from Columbus - he knew his business well, understood where and why he was sailing. The first expedition, although it was associated with certain difficulties, ended in success - Vasco da Gama concluded peaceful relations and an agreement with the Indian ruler onselling spices. The delighted king of Portugal immediately ordered the organization of subsequent expeditions. Thus, thanks to this courageous man, a new sea route from Europe to Asia was opened.
Great travelers and their discoveries
For many centuries there lived different people who achieved a lot in natural science and geography. If we talk about the achievements of our compatriots, then the first great Russian traveler who immediately comes to mind is Nikolai Miklukho-Maclay. Although his achievements, of course, cannot be put on a par with the merits of Christopher Columbus, James Cook, Vasco da Gama or Amerigo Vespucci. Of particular interest is his conclusion that the cultural and racial characteristics and differences of peoples are due to the natural and social environment.
Among other Russian travelers who have made a certain contribution to the development of geography, one can name Fedor Konyukhov, Yuri Senkevich, Ivan Papanin, Nikolai Przhevalsky, Afanasy Nikitin, Yerofei Khabarov, Vitus Bering and many others. The life of each of them is a long journey full of eventful events.
Great thirst for knowledge embedded in man
The question may arise: why do people have such an urgent need for something unknown and distant? The fact is that since childhood, a person has a need to know the world around him, to explore it, to find answers to the questions: "What is the meaning of life? What do we do on ourplanet?" All of us, in fact, in our souls are "great" travelers and discoverers. We are so arranged, one might even say, so created, to constantly learn about the world around us. It is not by chance that we are on Earth and are very different from animals, as if some did not seek to prove that we are descended from our smaller brothers. Many books have been written about the desire of a person from childhood to learn about the world around him. One of these stories was written by M. Zoshchenko - "Great Travelers". Next, I would like to briefly tell what kind of book this is.
M. Zoshchenko, "Great Travelers"
In every person, adult or still a child, lives his own Columbus or Vasco da Gama. Since childhood, we can observe how a child wants to know the world around him. Zoshchenko's story "Great Travelers" tells the story of three children who have gathered on a distant journey around the world. They took a lot of different things that were very difficult to carry, and which eventually turned into unnecessary trash. This short instructive story teaches children that knowledge is needed for great accomplishments. Zoshchenko's story "Great Travelers" is a masterpiece in miniature.
Instead of a conclusion
As we can see, each of us has a huge craving for the unknown - whether you are a great Russian traveler or an ordinary person. Everyone strives to find answers to burning questions. Great travelers and their discoveries only prove this simple and very important truth. And thosetime, regardless of whether we overcome great distances during our short life or not, each of us will begin and end his earthly journey, full of adventures and a lifetime. The only question is: what will we discover during this journey and what will we leave behind?
