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Discovery of the Strait of Magellan

Type Event Region South America Time 1520

In October 1520 Magellan's expedition discovered a strait at the southern tip of South America linking the Atlantic and the Pacific, later called the…

Timeline

  1. 1520Cape Virgins (eastern entrance to the strait) · Santa Cruz ProvinceThe fleet continued south along the southern coast of Patagonia, confirming a navigable waterway near Cape Virgins; Magellan decided to lead the fleet in to explore, after which the San Antonio mutinied and returned home.
  2. 1520Strait of Magellan · Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica RegionThe fleet struggled through wind, waves, and complex channels, taking about five weeks to complete the passage. Along the way they anchored and made contact with native tribes, and finally only three ships sailed out of the western end of the strait.

Sources