Who did amerigo vespucci sail for
- •
Amerigo Vespucci
Italian explorer and navigator (1454–1512)
This article is about the explorer. For other uses, see Amerigo Vespucci (disambiguation).
Amerigo Vespucci (vesp-OO-chee,[1]Italian:[ameˈriːɡoveˈsputtʃi]; 9 March 1454 – 22 February 1512) was an Italian explorer and navigator from the Republic of Florence for whom "America" is named.
Vespucci participated in at least two voyages of the Age of Discovery between 1497 and 1504, first on behalf of Spain (1499–1500) and then for Portugal (1501–1502). In 1503 and 1505, two booklets were published under his name containing colourful descriptions of these explorations and other voyages. Both publications were extremely popular and widely read throughout much of Europe. Historians still dispute the authorship and veracity of these accounts, but they were instrumental in raising awareness of the discoveries and enhancing the reputation of Vespucci as an explorer and navigator.
Vespucci claimed to have understood in 1501 that Brazil was part of a fourth continent unknown to Europeans, which he called
- •
Amerigo Vespucci
Amerigo Vespucci was a well connected and influential Italian who was working for the de Medici family's interests in Spain at the time that Columbus discovered America. His training was in geometry, physics, and geography. These skills, in addition to his important financial connections combined to give him a great interest in the exploration of the new world. As early as 1494 he was involved in financing and outfitting voyages of exploration, and he himself participated in up to five expeditions (the exact number is not known.)
Vespucci's contributions to the exploration of the new world were notable, but it was likely only a matter of chance that newly discovered continents took his name. He traveled with Juan de la Cosa, an influential cartographer, and he wrote many latters to important European statesmen outlining the latest discoveries and putting forth the idea, (which was only starting to dawn on people), that the major land mass of the new world was an independent continent, not connected with East Asia
- •
The Ages of
Exploration
Introduction
Although Christopher Columbus is credited for discovering the “New World,” he always believed he had reached Asia. Amerigo Vespucci, however, actually confirmed that it was not Asia, but instead a separate continent. Because of this, North and South America bear his name. Continents bear feminine names. Europe, named by the Greeks, comes from “Europa.” Asia also comes from Greece, and referred to lands east of their homeland. So sticking with a feminine tradition, “America” is a feminine form of Amerigo.
Biography
Early Life
Amerigo Vespucci was born March 9, 1454 in Florence, Italy to Nastagio and Lisabetta Vespucci. His father was a notary in the Florence government. The Vespucci family was well-connected, and Amerigo received an excellent education by his uncle Giorgio Antonio. He became fluent in several languages, and had much interest in cartography, astronomy, and navigation techniques. Giorgio was also a teacher to the Medici’s, the most noble and powerful family in Florence. When he was older, Amerigo began
Copyright ©armywing.pages.dev 2025