James Cook

James Cook was an 18th-century British explorer and navigator renowned for his three major voyages across the Pacific Ocean. He is best known for mapping many areas, including New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia, which significantly advanced European knowledge of the Pacific region. Cook was also the first to make contact with Hawaiian Islands. His journeys contributed to the scientific understanding of geography, navigation, and the natural world. Despite his achievements, his explorations sometimes led to the disruption of indigenous cultures, an aspect of his legacy that is increasingly examined today.