Ferdinand Magellan was the famous explorer who completed the first successful circumnavigation of the earth. His expedition, which began in 1519, sought a western route to the Spice Islands. Although Magellan himself was killed in the Philippines in 1521, the voyage continued under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano. By 1522, the remaining crew returned to Spain aboard the Victoria, successfully completing the journey and proving that the Earth could be circumnavigated by sea. This monumental achievement had significant implications for navigation, trade, and global exploration, marking a pivotal moment in the Age of Discovery.