The Viking explorer believed to have been the first European to set foot in North America is Leif Erikson. Around AD 1000, Erikson and his crew landed in a region they named Vinland, likely located in present-day Newfoundland, Canada. This event predates Christopher Columbus's voyages by nearly 500 years and is part of the Norse exploration of the North Atlantic. Erikson's journey illustrates the early interactions between European explorers and the diverse indigenous populations. His legacy contributes to the rich history of exploration in the Norse tradition.