Which explorer is credited as the first to circumnavigate the Earth and died during the Battle of Mactan in 1521?

The explorer who is credited as the first to circumnavigate the Earth is Ferdinand Magellan. His expedition, which began in 1519, was significant as it provided the first comprehensive proof that the Earth is round and enabled a broader understanding of global geography. Although Magellan himself did not complete the journey—he was killed in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines in 1521—his fleet continued under the command of Juan Sebastián Elcano and ultimately returned to Spain in 1522, achieving the first successful circumnavigation.

Magellan's journey was a monumental achievement in the Age of Exploration, illustrating the challenges of sea navigation during that era and the vastness of the Earth’s oceans. Despite his death, the expedition's successful return further established Spain's maritime dominance and expanded European knowledge of the Pacific Islands and routes.