Post about travelers who discovered the world. Trips

It seems that the days of the pioneers have already passed, there are no white spots left on the map. But it turns out that even today you can travel, explore unknown corners of the planet. Let all the continents and islands have already been open, let it be possible to see the most remote and inaccessible regions from space, and let the inquisitive human mind set itself new tasks and solve them, organize expeditions. Who are they, modern travelers of the 21st century?

The names of modern travelers

When we think of the famous pioneers, along with the greats Columbus, Magellan, Cook, Bellingshausen, Lazarev and others, we also talk about our contemporaries. The names of Cousteau, Heyerdahl, Senkevich, Konyukhov and other researchers also sound like a hymn to the study of our planet. Modern travelers and their discoveries are a wonderful

Jacques Yves Cousteau

Cousteau is the greatest oceanographer, French research scientist. This is the man who discovered the underwater world for mankind. It was with his hands that goggles for the first scuba diving were made, and the first scientific vessel was equipped to study the depths of the sea. He owns the first films shot underwater.

For the first time, a person was able to freely move in the water column and descend to depths of up to 90 m. Under the leadership of Cousteau, the first underwater expeditions were organized. At first, it was archaeological research on the ocean floor and photography at depths of several kilometers.

When Cousteau created the "underwater saucer" - a mini-submarine, the possibilities for studying the water column increased dramatically. A continuation was the founding of temporary underwater scientific stations, where modern travelers lived for several months and could conduct observations directly at sea.

The result of Cousteau's many years of work on the study of the underwater world were books and films that were very popular: "In a world of silence", "A world without the sun", "Cousteau's underwater odyssey". Since 1957, he has headed the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco. In 1973, the Cousteau Society for the Conservation of Marine Nature was founded.

Among his honorary awards, he considered the Order of the Legion of Honor to be the main one. Cousteau died in 1997 in Paris.

Thor Heyerdahl

This name is also familiar to anyone who is even slightly interested in travel. Thor Heyerdahl became famous for his sea voyages, undertaken to prove his point of view on the settlement of different parts of the world.

Heyerdahl was the first to put forward the idea that the islands of Polynesia could be inhabited by immigrants from South America. To prove this theory, modern travelers under his leadership made an unparalleled voyage on the Kon-Tiki balsa raft across the Pacific Ocean. Having overcome about 8 thousand km in 101 days, the expedition reached the Tuamotu Islands. At the same time, the raft retained its buoyancy, and if it were not for the storm, it probably could have reached the shores of Asia.

Then came the expeditions on reed boats "Ra" and "Ra-2", in which our compatriot Yuri Senkevich took part. The boat "Tigris", sailing on which was supposed to show the possibility of links between Mesopotamia and the Indian subcontinent, was burned by the team in protest against the hostilities off the coast of Djibouti, and the expedition was not completed.

Heyerdahl on many issues did not agree with the scientific world and put forward his theories. For many years he studied the mysteries of Easter Island, especially the origin of the famous stone idols. Tour argued that these gigantic statues could be made and delivered to the site by the aborigines of the island, who did not have modern stone-working tools and vehicles. And the results of his research were sensational, although not recognized by most scientists.

Of the controversial theories of Heyerdahl, we also note the version about the connections between the Vikings and the inhabitants of the Caucasus and Azov. He believed that the Vikings were from the North Caucasus. But his death in 2002 prevented him from proving this theory.

Numerous books by Heyerdahl about his views on the exploration of the world and travel, documentaries made about them, still remain very exciting and interesting for any person.

Yuri Senkevich

A modern Russian traveler and host of the most popular television program in our country "Travel Club", a polar explorer, he took part in the 12th Soviet Antarctic expedition.

In 1969, when organizing an expedition to "Ra", Thor Heyerdahl wrote a letter to the USSR Academy of Sciences inviting a doctor with a good knowledge of English, experience in expeditions and a sense of humor to participate. The choice fell on Senkevich. Cheerful and cheerful, with an optimistic outlook on life and the skills of a medical practitioner, Yuri quickly became friends with Heyerdahl and the other team members.

Subsequently, they more than once participated in the expeditions of the famous Norwegian. Many of Heyerdahl's studies became known to the Soviet television viewer immediately thanks to a television program hosted by Yuri Senkevich. The "Film Travel Club" became for many a window into the world, allowing them to get acquainted with interesting places of the world. The guests of the program were modern travelers: Heyerdahl, Cousteau, Jacek Palkiewicz, Carlo Mauri and many others.

Senkevich took part in the medical support of the expeditions to the North Pole and Everest. Yuri Alexandrovich died in 2006 on the set of another TV show.

Tim Severin

Many modern travelers follow the routes of seafarers and pioneers of the past. One of the most famous is Briton Tim Severin.

He made his first trip in the footsteps of Marco Polo on motorcycles. Leaving Venice, Severin and his comrades crossed almost all of Asia and reached the borders of China. Here the journey had to be completed, as permission to visit the country was not received. Further study followed (while sailing on it in a canoe and a motor boat). The next expedition is on the St. Brendan route across the Atlantic Ocean.

Inspired by the adventures of Sinbad the sailor, Severin made the passage from Oman to China on a sailing ship, guided only by the stars.

In 1984, Severin, with a team of 20 rowers, repeated the route of the Argonauts to Colchis (Western Georgia). And the next year he traveled in the footsteps of Odysseus from the imperishable poem of the same name by Homer.

These are just some of Severin's routes. He wrote fascinating books about his adventures, and for "The Journey of Sinbad" he was awarded the prestigious Thomas Cook Prize.

Modern travelers of the 21st century

Despite the fact that it is the 21st century, the spirit of love for adventure and travel has not faded away. And now there are people who do not sit at home in comfort, they are attracted by the unknown, the unknown.

Among them are modern travelers of Russia. Perhaps the most famous of them is Fedor Konyukhov.

Fedor Konyukhov

"First" is often added to his name. He was the first Russian to visit the three poles of the Earth: North, South and Everest. He was the first to conquer the five poles on Earth - the Pole of Inaccessibility in Antarctica and Cape Horn, considered as such for yachtsmen, were added to the previous ones. The first of the Russians to overcome the "big seven" - made ascents to the highest peaks of all continents, counting Europe and Asia separately.

On his account there are many expeditions, mostly extreme ones. Konyukhov made four trips on a yacht around the world. Participant of the ski crossing "USSR - North Pole - Canada".

His books are read in one breath. And in plans for the future - in a balloon.

Dmitry Shparo

Let's make a reservation right away: this is a polar traveler and explorer. Back in 1970, he headed a ski expedition to the islands of Komsomolskaya Pravda. Three years later, he traveled to Taimyr in search of the warehouse of the famous polar explorer Eduard Toll. In 1979, under his leadership, the world's first skiing expedition to the North Pole was made.

One of the most famous trips to Canada across the Arctic Ocean as part of a joint Soviet-Canadian expedition.

In 1998 he crossed with his son on skis. In 2008 he organized two expeditions to the North Pole. One of them is famous for reaching the pole on skis for the first time in the world at night. And the second was attended by young people aged 16-18.

Dmitry Shparo is the organizer of the Adventure Club. The institution conducts marathons throughout the country with the participation of people confined to wheelchairs. The most famous is the international ascent of Kazbek for wheelchair users from Transcaucasia, Norway and Russia.

Modern travelers

The geography of modern travel is very extensive. These are mainly poorly studied and hard-to-reach areas of the Earth. These hikes most often take place in extreme conditions that require all your strength.

Of course, it's hard to cover all the names in one article. Anatoly Khizhnyak, exploring little-studied tribes in the jungles of the Amazon and Papua New Guinea ... Naomi Uemura, who made a solo trip to the North Pole, sailed across the Amazon, conquered Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Kilimanjaro, climbed Aconerkugua ... to all 14 eight-thousanders of the world ... You can write a separate book about each of them. Their adventures inspire travelers.

Almost every corner of the Earth has now been explored. There is no longer any place left where a person's foot would not have stepped. Even the Arctic ice gave way under his onslaught.

But it was not always so. For our ancestors, our planet was an unknown and mysterious world, and beyond the horizon hid new countries, outlandish customs and tribes.

A great contribution to the study of the Earth was made by the most famous travelers, whose names have forever remained in our memory, tk. it was they who made the world discoveries that turned the idea of ​​people about our planet upside down.

10. Francis Drake

The strait located between Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego was named after him. California has Drake Bay.

From the age of 12, Francis, the son of an ordinary farmer, became a cabin boy on the ship of his distant relative. From the age of 18 he was already a captain.

In 1567, his ship took part in an expedition. These ships were attacked by the Spaniards, most of whom they sank. Only 2 ships survived, one of which belonged to Francis Drake... The British demanded to compensate them for all losses, but the Spaniards refused.

Then the young captain vowed that he would take everything from the king of Spain himself. In 1577 he was sent to the coast of America. According to the official version, he was supposed to discover new lands, but in reality the goal was more prosaic - gold. Due to the storm, Drake discovered the strait that received his name.

9. Afanasy Nikitin

The famous Russian traveler became famous for being one of the first Europeans who could get to. He had been there earlier than Portuguese travelers.

Afanasy Nikitin was born into the family of an ordinary peasant. He became a merchant, but was remembered by his descendants as a man who not only reached India and Persia, but also described it in his book "Walking the Three Seas"... Prior to that, in Russian literature, they wrote only about pilgrimage, and this was a description of a commercial trip, where he talked about the culture and economy of these countries, about their political structure.

8. Roald Amundsen

Norwegian traveler, famous for his polar expeditions. He was the first person to reach the South Pole, as well as the very first traveler to visit both poles of the planet.

The expedition, which was organized in 1926, is the first to claim that they have reached the North Pole. He was the owner of many state and public awards.

Roald Amundsen at the insistence of his mother, he entered the medical faculty, but as soon as she died, he left him with relief. Fateful in his life was the acquaintance with the fate of Rear Admiral John Franklin, a description of his hardships. He began to prepare for this feat at the age of 16, living a Spartan life: diet, sleep in the open air and in winter, exercise, constant skiing, etc.

His first voyage was on the Morgenen, a hunting ship, where he wanted to prepare for the title of navigator. An interesting life full of adventures and discoveries awaited the young polar explorer.

Most of his life was spent on expeditions, he never married, he had no children. The famous traveler died at the age of 55, while searching for the expedition of Umberto Nobile.

7. Amerigo Vespucci

Florentine traveler, after whom it got its name. He was an ordinary financier, helping to supply Christopher Columbus 2 and 3 expeditions.

In 1499, at the age of 45, he decides to go on a long journey himself. Amerigo Vespucci believed that sailing is a profitable business, so he was ready to conquer the world at his own expense.

Vespucci became one of the discoverers of the territory where Brazil later settled. The former financier was the first to figure out that the shores of Brazil are not islands, but new lands, which he called the New World. In 1507, a map appeared in France with the contours of a new continent, which was named "The land of Amerigo", and later became known as America.

6. David Livingston

He was not a researcher, but a Scottish missionary. But, fulfilling his difficult mission, at the same time he studied and told the whole world about it.

David Livingston was born into a poor family and at the age of 10 began working at a weaving factory. But this did not prevent the boy from studying independently, he studied mathematics, Latin and Greek, entered the university and became a doctor.

In 1840, Livingstone became a missionary and for the next 15 years traveled constantly to Central and South Africa, became an ardent fighter against the slave trade, and built himself a reputation as a convinced Christian.

His life was difficult, but interesting, full of adventures, Africans called him "The Great Lion."

David was the first of the Europeans to cross the Kalahari Desert, after which he discovered and explored Lake Ngami. He also discovered Lake Dilolo.

Livingstone and his companions were the first to find the waterfall, which the traveler named after Queen Victoria. Now near this waterfall there is a monument to the great explorer. He spent most of his life in Africa.

5. Fernand Magellan

He was a navigator with the title "adelantado", which meant "leader of the conquistadors (conquerors)" who explored and conquered lands outside the Spanish possessions.

Fernand Magellan made the first trip around the world. He became the first European to sail across the sea from the Atlantic to the Pacific, opening the strait named after him. Magellan belonged to a noble family.

In 1498, the Portuguese opened the road to India. They began to equip ships to conquer the east. On one of them was Magellan, who, along with everyone, participated in the battles. Soon he has a plan for a trip, which later made him famous.

He asks the king to send him sailing, but he refuses. Then the traveler decides to move to, where he was able to create his own expedition of 5 ships. The journey was difficult, but as a result, they found a strait, moving along which they were able to enter the ocean after 38 days.

The expedition was the first to reach the Philippine Islands, which Magellan called the archipelago of Saint Lazarus. The brave navigator died early, at the age of 40, participating in a military expedition against the Lapu Lapu tribe of the island of Mactan, whose leader did not want to submit to Spain. He never lived to see the end of the world's first circumnavigation.

4. Nikolay Miklukho-Maclay

Nikolay Miklukho-Maclay was not only a traveler, but also a biologist, anthropologist, devoted his life to the study of the population of Australia, Oceania and Asia. He was an ardent opponent of the slave trade, was against the theory popular at that time that the black races are a transitional species from ape to a person.

He is our compatriot, was born in the Novgorod province, studied at the St. Petersburg University. In 1870 he went to New Guinea, where he lived among the Papuans, studying their way of life and rituals, and later continued his observations in neighboring regions.

3. Vasco da Gama

The famous Portuguese navigator who was the first to sail from Europe to India. Born into a family, in his youth he joined the Order of Santiago, from a young age he participated in naval battles.

In those years, the search for a sea route to India was the task of the century, since it would be of great benefit. AND Vasco da Gama was able to do this, after which he became a representative of the nobility, and over time he was awarded the title of "Admiral of the Indian Ocean".

2. James Cook

The famous navigator was born into the family of a poor Scottish farm laborer, after 5 years of school he worked on a farm.

At the age of 18, he hired a cabin boy on his first ship. Thus begins his career as a sailor, which made James Cook famous.

He was at the head of 3 expeditions that explored the oceans. He paid a lot of attention to cartography, the maps he compiled were used until the second half of the 19th century. I learned how to deal with such a common disease at that time as scurvy.

He was known for his friendly attitude towards the indigenous people of the territories he explored, but died at the age of 50, killed by the aborigines of the Hawaiian Islands.

1. Christopher Columbus

Much has been said about the life of this famous navigator. He was the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean and visited the Caribbean, Sargasso Sea. He was the discoverer of Central and South America.

Coming from a poor Genoese family, he received a good education. Dreaming of getting to India by a short sea route, Christopher Columbus makes a lot of efforts to implement their projects, but they all turn out to be ineffectual.

Queen Isabella helped to make his dream come true, who agreed to pawn her jewelry for the sake of a great idea.

4 expeditions were organized. Columbus died at the age of 55, the enormous significance of his discoveries was recognized much later, and during his lifetime the monopoly on the discovery of new lands was canceled, moreover, he was arrested and sent to Spain in shackles.

Travel has always attracted people, but before it was not only interesting, but also extremely difficult. The territories were not explored, and, starting the journey, everyone became an explorer. Which travelers are the most famous and what exactly did each of them discover?

James Cook

The famous Englishman was one of the finest cartographers of the eighteenth century. He was born in the north of England and by the age of thirteen he began to work with his father. But the boy was unable to trade, so he decided to take up sailing. In those days, all the famous travelers in the world went to distant countries on ships. James became interested in the nautical business and so quickly moved up the career ladder that he was offered to become a captain. He refused and went to the Royal Navy. Already in 1757, the talented Cook began to manage the ship himself. His first achievement was the drawing up of the channel of the river. He discovered in himself the talent of a navigator and cartographer. In the 1760s, he explored Newfoundland, attracting the attention of the Royal Society and the Admiralty. He was entrusted with a journey across the Pacific Ocean, where he reached the shores of New Zealand. In 1770, he accomplished what other famous travelers had not previously achieved - he discovered a new mainland. Cook returned to England in 1771 as the famous pioneer of Australia. His last journey was an expedition in search of a passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Today even schoolchildren know the sad fate of Cook, who was killed by the natives-cannibals.

Christopher Columbus

Famous travelers and their discoveries have always had a significant impact on the course of history, but few are as famous as this man. Columbus became the national hero of Spain, drastically expanding the country's map. Christopher was born in 1451. The boy quickly achieved success as he was diligent and a good student. At the age of 14, he went to sea. In 1479, he met his love and began life in Portugal, but after the tragic death of his wife, he went with his son to Spain. Having received the support of the Spanish king, he went on an expedition, the purpose of which was to find a way to Asia. Three ships sailed from the coast of Spain to the west. In October 1492, they reached the Bahamas. This is how America was discovered. Christopher mistakenly decided to call the locals Indians, believing that he had reached India. His report changed history: two new continents and many islands discovered by Columbus became the main direction of travel of the colonialists in the next few centuries.

Vasco da Gama

Portugal's most famous traveler was born in Sines on September 29, 1460. From a young age he worked in the navy and became famous as a confident and fearless captain. In 1495, King Manuel came to power in Portugal, who dreamed of developing trade with India. For this, a sea route was needed, in search of which Vasco da Gama was to go. There were also more famous seafarers and travelers in the country, but for some reason the king chose him. In 1497, four ships sailed south, rounded and sailed to Mozambique. There I had to stop for a month - half of the team by that time was sick with scurvy. After a break, Vasco da Gama reached Calcutta. In India, he established trade relations for three months, and a year later returned to Portugal, where he became a national hero. The opening of the sea route, which made it possible to get to Calcutta past the east coast of Africa, was his main achievement.

Nikolay Miklukho-Maclay

Famous Russian travelers also made many important discoveries. For example, the same Nikolai Mikhlukho-Maclay, who was born in 1864 in the Novgorod province. He could not graduate from St. Petersburg University, as he was expelled for participating in student demonstrations. To continue his education, Nikolai went to Germany, where he met Haeckel, a naturalist who invited Miklouho-Maclay to his scientific expedition. Thus, the world of wandering was opened for him. His whole life was devoted to travel and scientific work. Nikolay lived in Sicily, Australia, studied New Guinea, implementing the project of the Russian Geographical Society, visited Indonesia, the Philippines, the Malacca Peninsula and Oceania. In 1886, the naturalist returned to Russia and proposed to the emperor to establish a Russian colony overseas. But the project with New Guinea did not receive royal support, and Miklouho-Maclay fell seriously ill and died soon after, without completing his work on a book about travels.

Fernand Magellan

Many famous sailors and travelers lived in the era of the Great Magellans is no exception. In 1480 he was born in Portugal, in the city of Sabroza. Going to serve at the court (at that time he was only 12 years old), he learned about the confrontation between his native country and Spain, about travel to the East Indies and trade routes. This is how he first became interested in the sea. In 1505, Fernand got on the ship. For seven years after that, he plowed the sea, participated in expeditions to India and Africa. In 1513 Magellan went to Morocco, where he was wounded in battle. But this did not temper the craving for travel - he planned an expedition for spices. The king rejected his request, and Magellan went to Spain, where he received all the support he needed. Thus began his journey around the world. Fernand thought that the road to India from the west might be shorter. He crossed the Atlantic Ocean, reached South America and discovered the strait that would later be named after him. became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean. On it, he reached the Philippines and almost reached the goal - the Moluccas, but died in a battle with local tribes, wounded by a poisonous arrow. However, his journey opened up a new ocean to Europe and the understanding that the planet is much larger than scientists had previously thought.

Roald Amundsen

The Norwegian was born at the very end of an era in which many famous travelers became famous. Amundsen was the last of the sailors to try to find undiscovered land. From childhood, he was distinguished by perseverance and faith in his own strength, which allowed him to conquer the South Geographic Pole. The beginning of the journey is associated with 1893, when the boy left the university and got a job as a sailor. In 1896, he became a navigator, and the following year set off on his first expedition to Antarctica. The ship got lost in the ice, the crew was sick with scurvy, but Amundsen did not give up. He took command, healed the people, remembering his medical education, and brought the ship back to Europe. Becoming a captain, in 1903 he set out in search of the Northwest Passage off Canada. Famous travelers before him had never done anything like this - in two years the team covered the path from the east of the American mainland to its west. Amundsen became known all over the world. The next expedition was a two-month hike to the South Plus, and the last venture was the search for Nobile, during which he went missing.

David Livingston

Many famous travelers are associated with sailing. he became an explorer of land, namely the African continent. The famous Scotsman was born in March 1813. At the age of 20, he decided to become a missionary, met Robert Moffett and wished to go to African villages. In 1841, he came to Kuruman, where he taught the local people in agriculture, served as a doctor and taught literacy. There he also learned the Bechuan language, which helped him travel across Africa. Livingstone studied in detail the life and customs of local residents, wrote several books about them and went on an expedition in search of the sources of the Nile, in which he fell ill and died of a fever.

Amerigo Vespucci

The most famous travelers in the world were most often from Spain or Portugal. Amerigo Vespucci was born in Italy and became one of the famous Florentines. He received a good education and trained to be a financier. From 1490 he worked in Seville, in the Medici trade mission. His life was associated with sea travel, for example, he sponsored the second expedition of Columbus. Christopher inspired him with the idea of ​​trying himself as a traveler, and already in 1499 Vespucci went to Suriname. The purpose of the voyage was to study the coastline. There he opened a settlement called Venezuela - Little Venice. In 1500 he returned home with 200 slaves. In 1501 and 1503. Amerigo repeated his travels, acting not only as a navigator, but also as a cartographer. He discovered the bay of Rio de Janeiro, which he himself named. Since 1505, he served the king of Castile and did not participate in campaigns, only equipping other people's expeditions.

Francis Drake

Many famous travelers and their discoveries have benefited mankind. But there are also those among them who left behind an unkind memory, since their names were associated with rather cruel events. The English Protestant, who sailed on a ship from the age of twelve, was no exception. He captured local residents in the Caribbean, selling them into slavery to the Spaniards, attacked ships and fought with Catholics. Perhaps no one could match Drake in the number of captured foreign ships. His campaigns were sponsored by the Queen of England. In 1577 he went to South America to destroy the Spanish settlements. During the journey, he found Tierra del Fuego and the strait, which was later named in his honor. Having rounded Argentina, Drake plundered the port of Valparaiso and two Spanish ships. When he reached California, he met the natives, who presented gifts of tobacco and bird feathers to the British. Drake crossed the Indian Ocean and returned to Plymouth, becoming the first British person to travel around the world. He was admitted to the House of Commons and awarded the title of Sir. In 1595 he died in the last campaign in the Caribbean.

Afanasy Nikitin

Few famous travelers of Russia have achieved the same heights as this native of Tver. Afanasy Nikitin became the first European to visit India. He traveled to the Portuguese colonialists and wrote "Voyage across the Three Seas" - the most valuable literary and historical monument. The success of the expedition was ensured by the career of a merchant: Afanasy knew several languages ​​and knew how to negotiate with people. On his journey he visited Baku, lived in Persia for about two years and reached India by ship. Having visited several cities of an exotic country, he went to Parvat, where he stayed for a year and a half. After the province of Raichur, he headed to Russia, laying a route through the Arabian and Somali peninsulas. However, Afanasy Nikitin never made it home, because he fell ill and died near Smolensk, but his notes survived and ensured world fame for the merchant.

If we talk about the great travelers of our time, then we cannot ignore the unique talent of Fyodor Filippovich Konyukhov to conquer what, at first glance, is impossible to conquer. Today Konyukhov is the first of the best travelers on the planet, to whom the North and South Poles, the highest peaks of the world, seas and oceans have conquered. He has more than forty expeditions to the most inaccessible places on our planet.

A descendant of northern pomors from the Arkhangelsk province was born on the shores of the Sea of ​​Azov in the fishing village of Chkalovo. His irrepressible thirst for knowledge led to the fact that at the age of 15, Fedor swam across the Sea of ​​Azov in a fishing rowboat. This was the first step towards great achievements. Over the next twenty years, Konyukhov takes part in expeditions to the North and South Poles, conquers the highest peaks, makes four trips around the world, participates in a dog sled race, and crosses the Atlantic Ocean fifteen times. In 2002, the traveler made a solo voyage across the Atlantic in a rowboat and set a record. More recently, on May 31, 2014, Konyukhov was met in Australia with several records at once. The famous Russian became the first to cross the Pacific Ocean from continent to continent. It cannot be said that Fyodor Filippovich is a person fixated only on travel. In addition to the nautical school, the great traveler has the Belarusian Art School in Bobruisk and the Modern Humanitarian University in Moscow. In 1983 Fyodor Konyukhov became the youngest member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. He is also the author of twelve books on his own experiences of overcoming the hardships of travel. Upon completion of the legendary crossing of the Pacific Ocean, Konyukhov said that he was not going to stop there. His plans include new projects: flying around the world in a hot air balloon, circumnavigating the world in 80 days to the Jules Verne Cup on a keeled yacht with a crew, diving into the Mariana Trench.

Bear Grylls

Today this young English traveler, TV presenter and writer is known to a multi-million audience thanks to the highest-rated TV show on the Discovery Channel. In October 2006, the program "Survive at any cost" began to air with his participation. The goal of the TV presenter is not only to entertain the viewer, but also to provide valuable advice and recommendations that may come in handy in unforeseen situations.

Bear was born in Great Britain into a family of hereditary diplomats, received an excellent education at the elite Ladgrove School and the University of London. Parents did not interfere with the son's hobby for sailing, rock climbing and martial arts. But the future traveler received the skills of endurance and the ability to survive in the army, where he mastered parachute jumping and mountaineering. These skills later helped him achieve his cherished goal - the conquest of Everest. This event took place at the very end of the last century, in 1998. Bear Grylls possesses simply irrepressible energy. The list of his travels is huge. From 2000 to 2007, he sailed around the British Isles in thirty days to raise funds for the British Royal Society of Water Rescue; crossed the North Atlantic in an inflatable boat; flew over Angel Falls on a steam-powered plane, dined in a balloon at an altitude of over seven thousand meters; on a paraglider flew over the Himalayas ... In 2008, the traveler was at the head of an expedition organized to climb one of the most remote unconquered peaks in Antarctica. Almost all of the expeditions that Grills participates in are charitable.

If you think that distant wanderings are the prerogative of a strong half of humanity, then you are deeply mistaken. And this was proved by the young American Abby Sunderland, who at the age of 16 alone made a round-the-world trip on a yacht. Interestingly, Abby's parents not only allowed her to undertake such a risky venture, but also helped prepare for it. It should be noted that the girl's father is a professional sailor.

On January 23, 2010, the yacht departed from Marina Del Rey, California. Unfortunately, the maiden voyage was unsuccessful. The second attempt took place on February 6. Very soon, Abby reported damage to the yacht's hull and engine malfunction. At this time, she was between Australia and Africa, 2 thousand miles from the coast. After that, the connection with the girl was interrupted, and nothing was known about her. The search operation was unsuccessful and Abby was reported missing. However, a month later, the yacht received a distress signal from the southern Indian Ocean. After 11 hours of searching by Australian rescuers, a yacht was found in the area of ​​a severe storm, in which, fortunately, Abby was unharmed. A large supply of food and water helped her survive. The girl said that all the time after the last communication session she had to overcome the storm, and she was physically unable to get in touch and send a radiogram. Abby's example inspires the courageous spirit to test their capabilities and not stop there.

One of the most original travelers of our time spent thirteen years of his life on his unusual journey around the world. The non-standard of the situation was that Jason abandoned the achievements of civilization in the form of any kind of technology. The former British janitor set off on his trip around the world with a bicycle, a boat and ... rollers!

The expedition started from Greenwich in 1994. The 27-year-old Lewis chose his friend Steve Smith as his partner. In February 1995, the travelers reached the United States. After 111 days of sailing, the friends decided to cross the states separately. In 1996, a rollerblading Lewis was hit by a car. He spent nine months in the hospital. After recovering, Lewis travels to Hawaii, and from there he sails on a pedal boat to Australia. In the Solomon Islands, he fell into the epicenter of the civil war, and off the coast of Australia he was attacked by an alligator. Upon arrival in Australia, Lewis interrupts his travel due to financial difficulties and works for a while in a funeral home and sells T-shirts. In 2005 he moved to Singapore, from there to China, from which he moved to India. After cycling through the country, the Briton reaches Africa by March 2007. The remainder of Lewis's journey passes through Europe. He cycled through Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany and Belgium, then swam across the English Channel and returned to London in October 2007, completing his unique journey around the world. James Lewis proved to the whole world and to himself that there is no limit to human capabilities.

Whoever reads about the brave wanderers of the Middle Ages who tried to open more profitable trade routes or perpetuate their name, is enthusiastic about how it happened. Passionate sea lovers can smell the sea water and see the open sails of frigates in front of them. What is most surprising is how great travelers could relive their adventures in reality with so much tenacity and resourcefulness. Thanks to them, the world learned about new lands and oceans.

The reality of dangerous travel

It is a pity that, in fact, the great travelers could not always feel the taste of romance: their ships were wrecked, and the whole crew could get sick with a disease unprecedented in those days. The sailors themselves, who dared to make new discoveries, had to endure hardships, they were often overtaken by death. It is not surprising that today many are so admired by their courage and determination! One way or another, thanks to some of the travelers, new continents were discovered, and some of them made an invaluable contribution to world geography. With the help of historical documents that contain eyewitness records or notes from ship's logs, we can have plausible information about their wanderings. It is a pity, however, that great geographical travelers rarely achieved what they were aiming for.

Christopher Columbus in pursuit of spices and gold

We are talking about a man who all his life dreamed of going on a long voyage. Like anyone else who happened to be in his place, he understood that he could not do without financial support, and it was not so easy to find it from rich monarchs who did not want to share their finances. Where did the desperate traveler want to go? He wished with all his heart to find the shortest western route to India, which at that time was famous for its spices, which were worth their weight in gold.

Trying to prove his case, Columbus continued to repeatedly visit the Spanish king and queen for eight long years. It is worth noting that there were many flaws in his plan. Despite the fact that scientists were already convinced of the spherical shape of the Earth, the question was which strip of the world's ocean separates Europe from Asia. As it turned out later, Christopher made two gross mistakes. First, he assumed that the territory of Asia occupies a much larger area than it was and actually is. Second, Columbus underestimated the size of our planet by a full quarter.

Columbus' first expedition

Be that as it may, "knock and it will be revealed to you": the expedition was approved, three ships were equipped to sail. The enterprising Spanish monarchs longed not only for profitable trade routes - they were pleased with the very idea of ​​converting the eastern countries to Catholicism. And on August 3, 1492, about 90 people set off on a long voyage. They sailed for many nautical miles, but the rich lands never appeared on the horizon. Columbus constantly had to reassure his team, sometimes even downplaying the actual distances traveled on a long journey. And now, finally, as it might seem, they achieved their goal! Where have our tireless sailors got to?

The land his team reached was the Bahamas. Nude natives met there every now and then, and the tropical climate was conducive to relaxation. But in any case, this was not at all what the great travelers set out for, leaving their homes and families. After a two-week rest, the sailors went further and reached Cuba. Columbus could not calm down in any way due to the fact that he could not find any spices or gold.

Then the odyssey continued to the east, where the coveted gold was discovered. This happened on an island that Columbus gave the name La Isla Hispaniola (now Hispaniola). Christopher Columbus already dreamed of how these lands would be subordinated to the Spanish crown. He was expected to return home and tremendous honors, as well as another journey.

Subsequent expeditions of Columbus

The next year, together with Columbus, an entire armada set off, consisting of 17 ships and more than 1200 people. There were many soldiers and priests among the people. The Spaniards wanted to turn the new lands into colonies and make the inhabitants Catholics. Columbus still wanted to reach the shores of India.

Two subsequent voyages to eastern India only slightly increased the sailor's happiness. Be that as it may, the sea routes that were designated by him contributed to the colonization of the whole continent - North America. Thanks to his achievements, the world has turned upside down.

Vasco da Gama - the great navigator

Vasco da Gama lived a little earlier than Columbus, and had already opened the way to India, skirting Africa. Preparations for his long journey began long before he was born - how different this case was from what happened to Columbus! The Portuguese monarchs understood the importance of the spice trade. Manuel I - the king of Portugal - believed that only a person who, as one historian put it, "would combine the courage of a soldier with the cunning of a merchant and the tact of a diplomat", could become the head of the expedition. According to the king, it was Vasco da Gama who was suitable for this role.

In terms of natural skills and enterprise, this man was very different from Columbus - he knew his business well, understood where and why he was sailing. The first expedition, although it was associated with certain difficulties, ended in success - Vasco da Gama concluded peaceful relations and an agreement with the Indian ruler on the sale of spices. The delighted king of Portugal immediately ordered the organization of further expeditions. Thus, thanks to this courageous man, a new sea route from Europe to Asia was opened.

For many centuries, different people have lived who have achieved a lot in natural science and geography. If we talk about the achievements of our compatriots, then the first great Russian traveler who immediately comes to mind is Nikolai Miklukho-Maclay. Although his achievements, of course, cannot be put on a par with the merits of Christopher Columbus, James Cook, Vasco da Gama or Amerigo Vespucci. Particularly interesting is his conclusion that the cultural and racial characteristics and differences of peoples are due to the natural and social environment.

Other Russian travelers who made a certain contribution to the development of geography include Fedor Konyukhov, Yuri Senkevich, Ivan Papanin, Nikolai Przhevalsky, Afanasy Nikitin, Erofei Khabarov, Vitus Bering and many others. The life of each of them is a long journey full of eventful events.

An immense thirst for knowledge invested in a person

The question may arise: where did people get such an urgent need for something unknown and distant? The fact is that from childhood in a person there is a need to recognize the world around him, to explore it, to find answers to the questions: "What is the meaning of life? What are we doing on our planet?" In essence, we are all "great" travelers and discoverers at heart. We are so arranged, one might even say, so created to constantly learn about the world around us. It is no coincidence that we are on Earth and are very different from animals, no matter how some might try to prove that we descended from our smaller brothers. Many books have been written about the desire of a person from childhood to learn about the world around him. One of these stories was written by M. Zoshchenko - "The Great Travelers". Next, I would like to briefly tell you what kind of book it is.

M. Zoshchenko, "Great Travelers"

Every person, an adult or just a child, has his own Columbus or Vasco da Gama. From childhood, we can observe how the child wants to know the world around him. Zoshchenko's story "The Great Travelers" tells the story of three children who gathered in a distant journey around the world. They took a lot of different things that were very difficult to carry and which eventually turned into unnecessary junk. This short, instructive story teaches children that knowledge is needed to accomplish great things. Zoshchenko's story "The Great Travelers" is a miniature masterpiece.

Instead of a conclusion

As we can see, in each of us there is a huge craving for the unknown - whether you are a great Russian traveler or an ordinary person. Everyone seeks to find answers to burning questions. Great travelers and their discoveries only prove this simple and very important truth. In the meantime, regardless of whether we cover great distances during our short life or not, each of us will begin and end his earthly journey, full of adventures and a lifetime. The only question is: what will we discover during this journey and what will we leave behind?