Magellan's circumnavigation of the world 500 years ago:
On September 20, 1519 (the 14th year of Emperor Wuzong of Mingwuzong, Zhu Houzhao), Magellan's fleet (5 ships, 270 men) set out from Spain and headed westward to the Atlantic Ocean.
In November 1519, he sailed about 3,000 kilometers to Cabo Verde in West Africa.
In December 1519, he sailed about 9,000 kilometers (starting from Spain) to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for supplies.
In March 1520, a total of about 12,000 kilometers were sailed to the port of San Julian, Argentina, during which conditions were harsh, supplies were scarce, and the crew was depressed!
So there were captains who rebelled and were killed (only 4 ships remained)
In August 1520, after five months of replenishment in Argentina, he set out again. In October, 500 kilometers away, the rugged and narrow strait is named: Strait of Magellan, from which you enter the Pacific Ocean!
During this time, another ship rebelled and returned to Spain, leaving only 3.
At the end of November 1520, finally out of the difficult Strait of Magellan, the sea was calm, so Magellan named it: Pacific Ocean! (Pacific Ocean), at this time a total of about 13,000 kilometers.
In February 1521, it reached the Mariana Islands (now part of the United States) in the east of the Philippines. After sailing in the Pacific Ocean for more than 100 days, without supplies, in the end I could only eat wood chips, belts, etc., and insisted on sailing by strong willpower! It crossed the Pacific Ocean for about 16,000 kilometers, and at this time a total of 29,000 kilometers were sailed!
In March 1521, a total of about 31,000 kilometers were sailed to the Philippines, at which time Magellan proved that the earth is round! This is a great breakthrough for mankind!
The Philippines was also named after Magellan after King Philip of Spain!
On April 27, 1521, Magellan was killed (1480-1521, 41 years old) because of its use of the Philippines as a Spanish colony, which caused the inhabitants to revolt.
Coincidentally, at almost the same time, on April 21, 1521, Zhengde Emperor Zhu Houzhao also died (30 years old).
In November 1521, Magellan's brother and assistant continued to sail, at this time only 2 ships remained, to Indonesia, 3,000 kilometers away, filled with spices (cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, etc.), at this time a total of 34,000 kilometers.
In May 1522, crossing 13,000 kilometers across the Indian Ocean to the Cape of good hope in South Africa, during the five-month voyage, due to scurvy (lack of Vc, eating oranges), the crew was only 35 people. At this time, a total of 47,000 kilometers were sailed.
On September 6, 1522 (the 2nd year of Ming Jiajing Zhu Houxi), the only remaining ship (only 18 remained) returned to Spain, and the circumnavigation was completed! A total of 60,000 km! It's been about 3 years!
The circle of the earth's equator is 40,000 kilometers, and Magellan's circumnavigation of the world is a sea voyage and needs supplies, so it took a total of 60,000 kilometers and took 3 years.
Today's society, with developed technology, can circle the earth in a day by plane, which is a tribute to Magellan's great feat 500 years ago!
There were many difficulties such as months of not eating or drinking, high winds and waves, and internal personnel turmoil, etc., and it was impossible to complete the slightest slack. So this is an extraordinarily difficult feat of mankind, relying on great willpower!
