Ferdinand Magellan is renowned for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. His voyage, which started in 1519 and concluded in 1522, provided vital information about the world's geography. Though Magellan himself did not survive the entire journey, as he was killed in the Philippines in 1521, his expedition successfully completed the challenge of sailing westward from Europe to reach Asia, thus proving that the Earth could be circumnavigated by sea. This accomplishment expanded European understanding of global navigation and trade routes.