explorer
Explorers travel to learn about places, routes, environments, or cultures. This topic is part of Exploration within History. This page currently draws on 28 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
explorer trivia questions
What is an explorer?
Answer: A person who travels to investigate unfamiliar places
Bonus fact: Explorers travel to learn about places, routes, environments, or cultures.
Which explorer led the expedition that first completed a circumnavigation of the globe, although he died before the voyage ended?
Answer: Ferdinand Magellan
Bonus fact: Magellan led the expedition that began the first circumnavigation; Juan Sebastián Elcano completed the voyage after Magellan's death.
Which Norwegian explorer became the first person to reach the South Pole in 1911?
Answer: Roald Amundsen
Bonus fact: Roald Amundsen's expedition reached the South Pole on December 14, 1911.
The name “America” is derived from the first name of which explorer and cartographer?
Answer: Amerigo Vespucci
Bonus fact: The name America was formed from the Latinized version of Amerigo Vespucci’s name.
Which Portuguese explorer first rounded the cape in 1488?
Answer: Bartolomeu Dias
Bonus fact: Dias originally called it the Cape of Storms.
Francis Drake was an explorer and naval commander from which country?
Answer: England
Bonus fact: Drake served Queen Elizabeth I.
James Cook was a famous explorer and naval officer from which country?
Answer: Britain
Bonus fact: Cook made three major Pacific voyages.
Which Viking explorer reached North America around the year 1000?
Answer: Leif Erikson
Bonus fact: Norse settlers established a site at L'Anse aux Meadows.
Which explorer brought Machu Picchu to broad international attention in 1911?
Answer: Hiram Bingham
Bonus fact: Local people already knew the site, but Bingham publicized it internationally.
Which explorer's lost 1845 expedition became the most famous search for the passage?
Answer: John Franklin
Bonus fact: Franklin's ships Erebus and Terror vanished.
What mode of transportation made Byrd famous as an explorer?
Answer: Aircraft
Bonus fact: Byrd helped pioneer aerial exploration of polar regions.
The Explorers Grand Slam combines the Seven Summits with reaching what?
Answer: North and South Poles
Bonus fact: Definitions vary slightly, but poles plus continental summits are central.