Circumnavigation of the globe

Definition

Circumnavigation is navigation completely around an entire island, continent or astronomical body (e.g., Earth). In context with AP World History Modern course content, it usually refers to voyages that went around planet Earth.

Analogy

Imagine you're on a roller coaster that goes all way round without stopping halfway - that's what circumnavigation is like! You start at one point and travel all way round until you get back where you started.

Related terms

Vasco da Gama: He was another famous explorer who found a direct sea route from Europe to India by going around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.

Christopher Columbus: He was an Italian explorer who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for widespread European exploration and the eventual conquest of the Americas.

Globalization: This is a process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide. The circumnavigation of the globe was one of the early steps towards globalization.