Explorer of the North Atlantic
Giovanni Caboto, known in English as John Cabot, was an Italian mariner, navigator, and explorer. He is credited with the first European exploration of the North American mainland on behalf of England in 1497.
Born in Genoa (modern-day Italy) around 1450, Cabot later moved to Venice, a major maritime republic. He sought a western sea route to Asia, driven by the lucrative spice trade, a goal that inspired many explorers of the era, including Christopher Columbus.
The Voyage of 1497
Sailing under a patent from King Henry VII of England, Cabot set out in the ship Matthew from Bristol on May 2, 1497. After approximately 50 days at sea, he made landfall on the coast of North America, likely in what is now Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island.
Cabot claimed the new lands for the English crown and explored the coastline, believing he had reached the northeastern extent of Asia. His voyages provided England with its first claim to territory in the New World and greatly expanded the understanding of North Atlantic geography.
Legacy and Impact
Though Cabot's exact landing site remains debated, his 1497 voyage was a pivotal moment in the Age of Discovery. It laid the groundwork for future English exploration and colonization of North America.
His expeditions spurred further interest in the region, leading to subsequent voyages by English and other European navigators in the following decades. The rich fishing grounds off Newfoundland, discovered by Cabot, would prove to be of immense economic importance.