The explorer known for circumnavigating the globe in the early 16th century is Ferdinand Magellan. Commissioned by Spain, Magellan set out in 1519 with a fleet to find a westward route to the Spice Islands. His expedition faced numerous challenges, including rough seas, mutinies, and crew shortages. Although Magellan did not survive the entire journey—he was killed in the Philippines in 1521—the expedition continued under Juan Sebastián Elcano, ultimately returning to Spain in 1522. This monumental journey provided the first circumnavigation of the Earth, proving the vastness of the planet and the connectivity of global trade routes, reshaping European perspectives on geography and navigation.