Exploration of Australia

The exploration of Australia was driven by European nations in the 17th and 18th centuries, motivated by the desire to discover new lands, trade routes, and resources. Early explorers like Willem Janszoon and James Cook mapped the coasts, establishing France and Britain’s interests in the region. The First Fleet’s arrival in 1788 marked the beginning of British colonization, leading to the establishment of penal settlements and later expanding inland. This exploration significantly increased knowledge of Australia’s geography, indigenous peoples, and natural resources, laying the foundation for its development as a nation.