The famous explorer who was the first to circumnavigate the globe is Ferdinand Magellan. Although Magellan himself did not complete the journey—he was killed in the Philippines in 1521—his expedition, which began in 1519, was the first to sail around the world successfully. The journey established critical trade routes and expanded European knowledge of the Pacific and various cultures. After Magellan's death, Juan Sebastián Elcano took command and navigated the remaining ships back to Spain, completing the historic voyage in 1522. This expedition marked a significant milestone in maritime history.