Sebastián del Cano

Spanish explorer

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June 22, 2026

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Juan Sebastián del Cano was a Basque navigator who completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth. He sailed as master of the Concepción in Ferdinand Magellan's fleet in 1519, aiming to reach the Spice Islands. After Magellan's death in the Philippines, del Cano took command of the Victoria and successfully brought the expedition back to Spain in 1522, marking the first journey around the globe. Despite facing scurvy, starvation, and Portuguese harassment, only 18 Europeans survived the voyage. Del Cano later died at sea in 1526 during another expedition.12

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Río de la Plata
Mapping of the basin
The Spaniard Sebastián del Cano, who accompanied the Magellan expedition, was able to include relatively accurate markings of the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay rivers in the map of the estuary that he drew up in 1523. Further cartographic work by agents of the Spanish crown was supplemented…
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The Spaniard Sebastián del Cano, who accompanied the Magellan expedition, was able to include relatively accurate markings of the Paraná, Paraguay, and Uruguay rivers in the map of the estuary that he drew up in 1523. Further cartographic work by agents of the Spanish crown was supplemented…
Read More