The most famous travelers and their discoveries. The oceanic crust is made up of What is the Earth
Travel has always attracted people, but before they were not only interesting, but also extremely difficult. The territories were not explored, and, setting off on a journey, everyone became an explorer. Which travelers are the most famous and what exactly did each of them discover?
James Cook
The famous Englishman was one of the best cartographers of the eighteenth century. He was born in the north of England and by the age of thirteen he began to work with his father. But the boy was unable to trade, so he decided to take up navigation. In those days, all the famous travelers of the world went to distant countries on ships. James became interested in maritime affairs and advanced so quickly in career ladder that he was offered to become a captain. He refused and went to the Royal Navy. Already in 1757, the talented Cook began to manage the ship himself. His first achievement was the drawing up of the fairway of the St. Lawrence River. He discovered in himself the talent of a navigator and cartographer. In the 1760s, he explored Newfoundland, which attracted the attention of Royal Society and the Admiralty. He was assigned to travel across the Pacific Ocean, where he reached the shores of New Zealand. In 1770, he did something that other famous travelers had not achieved before - he discovered a new continent. In 1771, Cook returned to England as the famous pioneer of Australia. His last journey was an expedition in search of a passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean s. Today, even schoolchildren know the sad fate of Cook, who was killed by cannibal natives.
Christopher Columbus
Famous travelers and their discoveries have always had a significant impact on the course of history, but few have been as famous as this man. Columbus became national hero Spain, decisively expanding the map of the country. Christopher was born in 1451. The boy quickly achieved success because he was diligent and studied well. Already at the age of 14 he went to sea. In 1479, he met his love and began life in Portugal, but after the tragic death of his wife, he went with his son to Spain. Having received the support of the Spanish king, he went on an expedition, the purpose of which was to find a way to Asia. Three ships sailed from the coast of Spain to the west. In October 1492 they reached Bahamas. This is how America was discovered. Christopher mistakenly decided to call the locals Indians, believing that he had reached India. His report changed history: two new continents and many islands, discovered by Columbus, became the main travel destination of the colonialists in the next few centuries.
Vasco da Gama
Portugal's most famous traveler was born in Sines on September 29, 1460. FROM young years he worked in the navy and became famous as a confident and fearless captain. In 1495, King Manuel came to power in Portugal, who dreamed of developing trade with India. For this, a sea route was needed, in search of which Vasco da Gama had to go. There were also more famous sailors and travelers in the country, but for some reason the king chose him. In 1497, four ships sailed south, rounded and sailed to Mozambique. I had to stay there for a month - half of the team had scurvy by that time. After a break, Vasco da Gama reached Calcutta. In India, he established trade relations for three months, and a year later he returned to Portugal, where he became a national hero. Opening sea route, which allowed to get to Calcutta by east coast Africa, was his main achievement.
Nikolay Miklukho-Maclay
Famous Russian travelers also made many important discoveries. For example, the same Nikolai Mikhlukho-Maclay, who was born in 1864 in the Novgorod province. He couldn't finish Petersburg University, as he was expelled for participating in student demonstrations. To continue his education, Nikolai went to Germany, where he met Haeckel, a naturalist who invited Miklouho-Maclay to his scientific expedition. So the world of wanderings opened up for him. His whole life was devoted to travel and scientific work. Nicholas lived in Sicily, Australia, studied New Guinea, embodying the project of the Russian Geographical Society, visited Indonesia, the Philippines, the Malay Peninsula and Oceania. In 1886, the naturalist returned to Russia and proposed to the emperor to establish a Russian colony across the ocean. But the project with New Guinea did not receive royal support, and Miklouho-Maclay fell seriously ill and soon died, without completing his work on a travel book.
Ferdinand Magellan
Many famous navigators and travelers lived in the era of the Great Magellan is no exception. In 1480 he was born in Portugal, in the city of Sabrosa. Having gone to serve at court (at that time he was only 12 years old), he learned about the confrontation between his native country and Spain, about traveling to the East Indies and trade routes. So he first became interested in the sea. In 1505, Fernand got on a ship. Seven years after that, he plied the sea, participated in expeditions to India and Africa. In 1513, Magellan went to Morocco, where he was wounded in battle. But this did not curb the craving for travel - he planned an expedition for spices. The king rejected his request, and Magellan went to Spain, where he received all the necessary support. That's how it started trip around the world. Fernand thought that from the west the route to India might be shorter. He crossed Atlantic Ocean, reached South America and discovered the strait, which would later be named after him. became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. On it, he reached the Philippines and almost reached the goal - the Moluccas, but died in battle with local tribes, wounded by a poisonous arrow. However, his journey opened up a new ocean for Europe and the realization that the planet is much larger than scientists had previously thought.
Roald Amundsen
The Norwegian was born at the very end of an era in which many famous travelers became famous. Amundsen was the last of the navigators who tried to find undiscovered lands. From childhood, he was distinguished by perseverance and faith in his own strength, which allowed him to conquer the South geographic pole. The beginning of the journey is connected with 1893, when the boy left the university and got a job as a sailor. In 1896 he became a navigator, and the following year he went on his first expedition to Antarctica. The ship was lost in the ice, the crew suffered from scurvy, but Amundsen did not give up. He took command, cured people, remembering his medical education, and brought the ship back to Europe. After becoming a captain, in 1903 he went in search of the Northwest Passage off Canada. Famous travelers before him had never done anything like this - in two years the team covered the path from the east of the American mainland to its west. Amundsen became known to the whole world. The next expedition was a two-month trip to the South Plus, and the last venture was the search for Nobile, during which he went missing.
David Livingston
Many famous travelers are connected with seafaring. became a sushi explorer, namely African continent. The famous Scot was born in March 1813. At the age of 20, he decided to become a missionary, met Robert Moffett and wished to go to African villages. In 1841 he came to Kuruman, where he taught local residents administered Agriculture, served as a doctor and taught literacy. There he learned the Bechuan language, which helped him in his travels in Africa. Livingston studied in detail the life and customs of the locals, wrote several books about them and went on an expedition in search of the sources of the Nile, in which he fell ill and died of a fever.
Amerigo Vespucci
The most famous travelers in the world were most often from Spain or Portugal. Amerigo Vespucci was born in Italy and became one of the famous Florentines. He received a good education and trained to be a financier. From 1490 he worked in Seville, in the Medici trade mission. His life was associated with sea voyages for example, he sponsored the second expedition of Columbus. Christopher inspired him with the idea of trying himself as a traveler, and already in 1499 Vespucci went to Suriname. The purpose of the voyage was to study the coastline. There he opened a settlement called Venezuela - little Venice. In 1500 he returned home with 200 slaves. In 1501 and 1503 Amerigo repeated his travels, acting not only as a navigator, but also as a cartographer. He discovered the bay of Rio de Janeiro, the name of which he gave himself. Since 1505, he served the king of Castile and did not participate in campaigns, only equipped other people's expeditions.
Francis Drake
Many famous travelers and their discoveries have benefited humanity. But among them there are those who left behind a bad memory, since their names were associated with rather cruel events. An English Protestant, who had sailed on a ship from the age of twelve, was no exception. He captured local residents in the Caribbean, selling them into slavery to the Spaniards, attacked ships and fought with Catholics. Perhaps no one could equal Drake in terms of the number of captured foreign ships. His campaigns were sponsored by the Queen of England. In 1577 he went to South America to defeat the Spanish settlements. During the journey, he found Tierra del Fuego and the strait, which was later named after him. Rounding Argentina, Drake plundered the port of Valparaiso and two Spanish ships. When he reached California, he met the natives, who presented the British with gifts of tobacco and bird feathers. Drake crossed Indian Ocean and returned to Plymouth, becoming the first British citizen to travel around the world. He was admitted to the House of Commons and awarded the title of Sir. In 1595 he died in last trip to the Caribbean.
Afanasy Nikitin
Few famous travelers in Russia have achieved the same heights as this native of Tver. Afanasy Nikitin became the first European to visit India. He made a trip to the Portuguese colonizers and wrote "Journey Beyond the Three Seas" - the most valuable literary and historical monument. The success of the expedition was ensured by the merchant's career: Athanasius knew several languages and knew how to negotiate with people. On his journey, he visited Baku, lived in Persia for about two years and reached India by ship. Visiting several cities exotic country, he went to Parvat, where he stayed for a year and a half. After the province of Raichur, he headed to Russia, paving the route through the Arabian and Somali Peninsulas. However, Afanasy Nikitin never made it home, because he fell ill and died near Smolensk, but his notes survived and provided the merchant with world fame.
option number 1
Question 1 (Introduction to Geography)
1. The word "Geography" in Greek means:
1) study of the Earth; 2) measurement of the Earth; 3) description of the Earth; 4) is not a Greek word at all.
Which Greek scholar first used the term "Geography"?
1) Ptolemy; 2) Eratosthenes; 3) Strabo; 4) Pytheas.
Which Europeans traveled to India and China in the 13th century?
1) Vasco da Gama; 2) Marco Polo; 3) Ferdinand Magellan; 4) Christopher Columbus.
What does the Greek word "geo" mean?
1) the moon; 2) land; 3) the sun; 4) planet.
How long does it take for the earth to complete one rotation on its axis?
1) per day; 2) per month; 3) for one year; 4) in one hour.
Indicate the name of the traveler who discovered the new world.
1) A. Nikitin; 2) Marco Polo; 3) Ferdinand Magellan; 4) Christopher Columbus.
Which navigator made the first voyage around the world?
1) Eratosthenes; 2) Marco Polo; 3) Ferdinand Magellan; 4) Christopher Columbus.
How long does it take for the Earth to complete one revolution in its orbit?
1) within 24 hours; 2) 365 days; 3) per month; 4) per season.
What is the Earth?
1) planet; 2) a giant planet; 3) an asteroid; 4) a comet.
What was the last continent to be discovered?
1) Africa; 2) America; 3) Australia; 4) Antarctica.
Question 2 (Location plan)
2. What is the name of the scale, written in this form:
1: 100 000?
1) named; 2) numerical; 3) linear; 4) fractional.
2. How many times is the distance on the ground greater than the distance on the plan, if the terrain is shown on a scale of 1: 30,000?
1) at 30; 2) At 300; 3) At 3000; 4) at 30,000.
If you stand facing north, which side of you will be west?
1) right; 2) left; 3) behind; 4) ahead.
On which side of a tree trunk do lichens grow more densely?
1) from the north; 2) from the south; 3) from the western; 4) the same on all sides.
What is the name of the angle between the direction to the north and to any object?
1) scale; 2) azimuth; 3) compass; 4) horizon.
2. Which side of the horizon corresponds to the 90˚ azimuth?
1) north; 2) east; 3) west; 4) south.
2. The azimuth is counted from:
1) directions to the north; 2) directions to the south; 3) directions to the west; 4) directions to the east.
What is the name of the image of a small area earth's surface on a plane in a reduced form with the help of conventional signs?
1) drawing; 2) map; 3) aerial photograph; 4) globe.
At what scale will the image be most detailed?
1) 1: 10 000 000; 2) 1: 25 000; 3) 1: 2000; 4) 1: 100.
Question 3 ( Geographic map)
3. What shape does the planet Earth have?
1) circle; 2) an ideal ball; 3) a ball flattened near the equator; 4) a ball flattened at the poles.
What is the name of the line that shows the direction of north and south on the map?
1) parallel; 2) meridian; 3) equator; 4) tropic.
3. Determine geographical coordinates allow:
1) meridians and parallels; 2) longitude and latitude; 3) parallels and equator; 4) equator and meridian.
What happens geographical latitude?
What is geographic longitude?
1) northern and southern; 2) western and eastern; 3) northern and western; 4) southern and eastern.
Which maximum value has a geographic latitude?
What is the maximum value of geographic longitude?
1) 90˚; 2) 100˚; 3) 180˚; 4) 360˚.
3. Geographic latitude is counted from:
3. Geographic longitude is counted from:
1) zero meridian; 2) equator; 3) any parallel; 4) any meridian.
At what latitude is South Pole?
10; 2) 90˚; 3) 180˚; 4) 360˚.
Question 4 (Lithosphere. Earth and its internal structure.)
What is the lithosphere?
4. The upper part of the lithosphere is:
1) core; 2) Earth's crust; 3) upper mantle; 4) lower mantle.
4. Fill in the gap in the offer: There is no ... layer in the continental crust.
1. granite; 2. sedimentary; 3. sandy; 4.basalt.
Which layer other than the sedimentary layer contains oceanic crust?
1) granite; 2) peat; 3) basalt; 4) sandy.
4.Most internal structure The earth is:
4. The central part of the internal structure of the Earth is:
1) core; 2) the earth's crust; 3) asthenosphere; 4) mantle.
4. Oceanic crust consists of:
1) 12.3 km; 2) 50 km; 3) 100 km; 4) 500km.
1) core; 2) the earth's crust; 3) asthenosphere; 4) mantle.
4. The mainland crust consists of:
1) sedimentary and "basalt" layer; 2) sedimentary and "granite" layer; 3) "basalt" and "granite" layer; 4) Sedimentary, "basalt" and "granite" layer.
Question 5 (Rocks and minerals.)
Which rocks are not of sedimentary origin?
1) clastic; 2) chemical; 3) organic; 4) magmatic.
In which rocks ah contains the remains of plants and animals?
1) in igneous; 2) in metamorphic; 3) in sedimentary; 4) in detrital.
Which group of rocks includes crushed stone, pebbles, sand, clay?
What group of rocks do salt and gypsum belong to?
1) to clastic; 2) to chemical; 3) to organic; 4) to igneous.
What rocks were formed as a result of a change in the composition or properties of the original rocks?
1) clastic; 2) metamorphic; 3) organic; 4) magmatic.
What rocks were formed as a result of the solidification of magma?
1) clastic; 2) metamorphic; 3) organic; 4) igneous .
What igneous rocks form on the surface of the earth's crust?
What igneous rocks are formed before reaching the earth's surface?
1) clastic; 2) chemical; 3) deep; 4) poured out.
What rocks are sedimentary in origin?
1) granite; 2) basalt; 3) chalk; 4) quartzite.
What rocks are igneous in origin?
1) granite; 2) limestone; 3) chalk; 4) quartzite.
Question 6 (Movements of the earth's crust, volcanoes, geysers)
What is the name of the device used to record the vibrations of the earth's crust?
1) level; 2) echo sounder; 3) seismograph; 4) protractor.
What is the name of the vertical channel connecting the volcanic center with the Earth's surface?
6. Ruptures and displacements of rocks occur in:
1) the focus of the earthquake; 2) the epicenter of the earthquake; 3) crater; 4) core.
What movements are characteristic of the earth's crust?
1) only vertical; 2) only horizontal; 3) both vertical and horizontal; 4) the earth's crust is not mobile.
What is the name of periodically gushing natural hot spring?
1) geyser; 2) volcano; 3) waterfall; 4) spring.
What type of rock formation will be superfluous?
1) folded; 2) blocky; 3) parallel; 4) folded-blocky.
What is the hole at the top of a volcano called?
1. vent; 2. magma; 3. hearth; 4. crater.
What is the name of the origin of the volcano?
1) vent; 2) magma; 3) hearth; 4) crater.
What is the substance inside a volcano called?
What is the name of the volcanic material erupted on the earth's surface?
1) mantle; 2) magma; 3) lava; 4) solution.
Question 7 (Relief of the land and the bottom of the oceans)
7.Most high mountains on the ground:
1) Andes; 2) Himalayas; 3) Ural; 4) Caucasian.
Which mountain is the largest peak on land?
1) Elbrus; 2) Kosciuszko; 3) Everest; 4) Kilimanjaro.
What is the name of the area of the ocean floor, having a depth of 0 to 200 m?
1) basin; 2) shelf; 3) continental slope; 4) the bed of the ocean.
Depending on the height, the mountains are divided into groups, to which group do mountains with a height of more than 2000m belong?
Depending on the height, the mountains are divided into groups, to which group do mountains with a height of up to 1000m belong?
1) low; 2) medium; 3) high; 4) hills.
Depending on the height, the mountains are divided into groups, to which group do mountains with a height of 1000 to 2000m belong?
1) low; 2) medium; 3) high; 4) hills.
Depending on the absolute height, the plains are divided into groups, to which group do the plains up to 200m belong?
Depending on the absolute height, the plains are divided into groups, which group do the plains with a height of 200 to 500m belong to?
1) lowlands; 2) hills; 3) plateaus; 4) hollows.
Depending on the absolute height, the plains are divided into groups, to which group do the plains with a height of more than 500m belong?
1) lowlands; 2) hills; 3) plateaus; 4) hollows.
What is the hydrosphere?
1) the outer solid shell of the Earth; 2) the water shell of the Earth; 3) noosphere; 4) air envelope Earth;
8. The hydrosphere consists of:
1) land waters and the oceans; 2) Land waters, the World Ocean and water in the atmosphere; 3) Seas, rivers, swamps and ponds; 4) only from land waters.
8. The main water reserves on Earth are concentrated in:
1) salty waters of the oceans; 2) glaciers; 3) fresh underground and surface waters; 4) rivers.
Question 9 (Oceans)
9. The world water cycle begins at:
1) atmosphere; 2) land waters; 3) the oceans; 4) underground waters;
Question 11 (Land waters. Rivers)
Which of the rivers will be mountainous?
1. Volga; 2. Terek; 3. Ob; 4. Pechora.
Which lake is called the sea?
1) Caspian; 2) Onega; 3) Baikal; 4) Balkhash.
12. Indicate the largest lake in terms of area:
1) Caspian; 2) Aral; 3) Baikal; 4) Ladoga.
12. Lakes into which rivers flow and flow out are called:
1) flowing; 2) drainless; 3) karst; 4) tectonic.
12. Lakes from which rivers flow are called:
1) sewage; 2) drainless; 3) karst; 4) tectonic.
Question 16 (Wind)
16. Unable to determine wind direction with:
1. weather vane; 2. barometer; 3.smoke from the chimney; 4. Vibrations of tree branches.
In what case will there be calm?
1.760mmHg - 740mm Hg; 2. 720mmHg - 780mm Hg; 3. 740mmHg - 740mm Hg; 4. 750mmHg – 770mm Hg
Which clouds are the lowest?
1. layered; 2. pinnate; 3. cumulus; 4. pinnately stratified.
17. If a drop of water in a cloud quickly rises several times and then falls down at a temperature below 0 ° C, then precipitation will fall in the form:
1. warm air contains more water vapor than cold air; 2. warm air contains less water vapor than cold air; 3. Neither warm nor cold air do not contain water vapor; 4. Cold and warm air contain the same amount of water vapor.
Question 18 (Weather and climate)
Question 20 (Population of the Earth)
What race does not exist?
What race does not exist?
1) Caucasian; 2) Negroid; 3) Mongoloid; 4) Arabic.
Question 21 (Questions with a short answer)
21. What is the name of the ability to find the sides of the horizon? ________________
21. What is the name of the image of a small area of the earth's surface on a plane in a reduced form using conventional signs? ______________________
21. What is the name of the excess of a mountain above its foot? _________________
21. What are the names of the lines on the plan and map connecting points with the same absolute altitude? ________________
21. What is the name of the line on the map, which has a latitude of 0˚? ________________
21. What is the name of the line on the map, which has a longitude of 0˚? ________________
21. What is the name of the scale in this form - 1: 50,000? ___________________
21. What is the name of the scale in this form - in 1 km - 100m? ________________
21. What is the name of the excess of a point on the earth's surface above sea level? ________________
21. What is the name of the device with which you can determine the relative height of a point? ________________
Question 22 (Questions with a short answer)
22. What device is used to study the topography of the ocean floor? ________________
22. What pours out of the crater of the volcano to the surface? ________________
22. What is the name of the river with all its tributaries? ________________
22. What are they called The groundwater located between two impermeable layers? ________________
22. What is the name of the difference between the most high temperature and the lowest air temperature during the day? ________________
22. What is the name of the state of the troposphere in a given place for a certain period of time? ________________
22. What is the name of the long-term weather regime characteristic of any area? ________________
22. What instrument is used to measure atmospheric pressure? ________________
22. What is the name of the device for determining the direction of the wind? ________________
22. What is the movement of air in the horizontal direction? ________________
Set a match.
Set a match.
Set a match.
Set a match.
Set a match.
Set a match.
Set a match.
Set a match.
Set a match.
Question 26 (Solve the problem)
26. Write down in numerical form the scale when 1cm is equal to 5km? ________________
26. 1 m 3 of air at a temperature of +20˚C can absorb 17 g of water, but does it actually contain 10 g of water? ________________
Test geography grade 6
option number 1
Amerigo Vespucci (1451-1512), navigator. Florentine by origin. He was in the service of the Spanish and then the Portuguese governments. During the voyages of 1499-1504 he visited the northern part of South America and called it the New World. By the name of Amerigo Vespucci, the new continent was named America, although it was discovered by Columbus in 1492.
At first he was a financier
His name has been on all maps of the world for many centuries.
Regarding whether Vespucci is worthy of being named after him New World, historians argue to this day.
The future navigator was the third son in the family of the public notary of the Republic of Florence Anastasio (Nastagio) Vespucci. He was born on March 9, 1454 - in this matter, the good old encyclopedic dictionary, it seems, is still mistaken. Amerigo received an excellent upbringing and education from his learned uncle Giorgio Antonio Vespucci, a Dominican friar of St. Mark's, who taught him Latin, and showed great success in physics, nautical astronomy and geography. All this allowed Amerigo Vespucci to enter the University of Pisa in 1470.
Amerigo's older brother, Antonio, became a scientist at the University of Pisa. The middle one - Geronimo - became a merchant in Syria. Amerigo also went along the trade and financial lines. After graduating from the university, he moved to Paris and entered the office of his uncle Guido, where he worked as a secretary until 1480. Then, perfectly mastering Luca Pacioli's system perfect for those times, Amerigo returned to Florence and entered the service of the Medici banking house. In 1490, he went to Spanish Seville, where he entered the service of the rich trading house of the Florentine Danoto Berardi. Since this house supplied Christopher Columbus with money for his second voyage in 1493, it can be assumed that Amerigo Vespucci knew the Spanish admiral at least from that time. In 1497-1498, Vespucci collaborated with Columbus in the preparation of his third expedition. Shortly before his death, Columbus recommended him to his son as an honest and reliable person.
Swimming Vespucci
Monument to the great navigator in Florence
A specialist in historical geography J. Baker writes about Vespucci: “Some consider him an outstanding researcher, others consider him a solid butcher by profession and a nonentity in all other respects. According to Vespucci himself, he made four journeys - in 1497, 1499, 1501 and 1503. The latest and generally more reasonable analysis of this question leads to the conclusion that the first and fourth journeys are fictitious. The result of this imaginary first ... journey was the discovery of the Mexican coast near the Gulf of Campeche, as well as the eastern coast of North America.
The Russian writer Rudolf Konstantinovich Balandin confidently believes that Vespucci was by no means a nonentity in everything except trade. He was considered an experienced helmsman and cartographer, he knew navigation; in the last years of his life, after a second move to Spain, he was the chief pilot of Castile - he checked the knowledge of ship helmsmen, supervised the compilation of maps, and compiled secret reports to the government on new geographical discoveries. At the same time, the question whether Amerigo visited " southern mainland”, as South America was originally called, in 1497, before Columbus, remains open. After all, this fact is not confirmed by any documents. But at the same time, Vespucci did not at all claim the laurels of the discoverer and did not try to assert his priority.
It can be said quite reliably that in 1499 Amerigo Vespucci sailed under the leadership of Admiral Alonso de Ojeda. In May, the expedition, in which Vespucci served as skipper, sailed from El Puerto de Santa Maria and headed for the shores of Suriname. The route was marked on the map received from Columbus. The purpose of the expedition was a detailed survey of the coastline. Then Vespucci first set foot on the land of today's America. In the campaigns of 1501 and 1503, already in the Portuguese service, Amerigo Vespucci occupied, rather, the position of a cartographer and navigator, although he commanded one of the small ships. As part of his second real expedition, led by Admiral Gonzalo Coelho, Vespucci climbed the Brazilian Highlands and went 250 miles deep into the continent. It was this raid that gave the Italian the conviction that a new continent had been discovered. On the same expedition, Vespucci named the bay of Rio de Janeiro, which was discovered on January 1, 1502.
A new look like a discovery
First meeting with mainlanders
In the time of Vespucci, messages about new lands and peoples were in great demand in Europe. People well understood the greatness of the deeds being accomplished, their great significance for the future. Printing houses promptly printed messages about travels to the west. Already six months after the return of Christopher Columbus from his first expedition to the shores of America, the monk Pietro Angiera called him "the discoverer of the New World." Two years later, in his next work, he repeated the expression "New World". However, so far it was only a brilliant prediction. It was Amerigo Vespucci who was destined to give scientific arguments to prove that a new part of the world had been discovered.
The first such publication of his in 1503 appeared in Italy and France. It was a small pamphlet called Mundus Novus (The New World). In the preface it was said that it was translated from Italian into Latin, "so that all educated people know how many wonderful discoveries have been made these days, how many unknown worlds have been discovered and how rich they are." The book was a great success. It was written vividly, interestingly, truthfully. In it, in the form of a letter from Alberico Vespuzzio, it was reported that in the summer of 1501, on behalf of the Portuguese king, a voyage across the stormy Atlantic to the shores of an unknown land was reported. It was called with all conviction not Asia, but the New World.
Later, a collection appeared, including stories by various authors about the voyages of Columbus, Vasco da Gama and some other travelers. The compiler of the collection came up with a catchy title that intrigues readers: "The New World and New Countries Discovered by Alberico Vespuzzio of Florence." Thousands of readers of the book could decide that it was Amerigo (Alberico) who discovered both the New World and new countries, although this did not follow from the text at all. But the title is remembered better than any paragraphs or chapters of the book. In addition, the descriptions written by Amerigo were vivid and convincing, which undoubtedly strengthened his authority as a discoverer.
The navigator wrote that the areas discovered by him on behalf of the Portuguese king can be safely called the New World - and justified his opinion: “None of our ancestors had the slightest idea about the countries that we saw, and about what is in them ; our knowledge far surpassed that of our ancestors. Most of them believed that there was no mainland south of the equator, but only the boundless ocean, which they called the Atlantic; and even those who considered it possible to have a mainland here, according to different reasons were of the opinion that it could not be inhabited. Now my voyage has proved that such a view is wrong and sharply contrary to reality, for south of the equator I found the mainland, where some valleys are much more densely populated by people and animals than in our Europe, Asia and Africa; moreover, there is a more pleasant and mild climate than in other parts of the world familiar to us.
According to the Austrian writer Stefan Zweig: “These stingy, but full of confidence lines make Mundus Novus a memorable document of mankind ... Columbus, until his death, was blindly sure that, having landed on the islands of Guanahani and Cuba, he set foot on the land of India, and this by delusion he essentially narrowed the universe for his contemporaries; and only Vespucci, refuting the assumption that the new continent is India, and asserting with confidence that this is a new world, gives other scales of the universe that are valid to this day.
The Lorraine cartographer Martin Waldseemüller, in his book published in 1507, first proposed naming the new continent America (Amerigo's country) after Vespucci. Published in Germany under the title "Ob Antarctic belt""New World ..." Vespucci was provided with a map of the new continent, still with very fantastic contours and the inscription "America". The sonorous new word began to be applied willingly to other cards as well. Spontaneously spread the opinion about Amerigo as the discoverer of the New World, and among specialists the image of a rogue who appropriated his name to the whole continent began to spread. But he hardly was. Until his death, which followed on February 22, 1512 in Seville, Vespucci never claimed the laurels of Columbus, whose sons also did not make any claims against him.