The era of Great geographical discoveries changed outlook of Europeans, having broadened for them the manned world and having enriched them with knowledge of new cultures. Discovery of South America happened gradually both forces of individuals, and efforts of the states.
Discovery of South America till the 15th century
There are theories that to South America the Europeans reached an era of Great geographical discoveries. In the 6th century the legend of a travel of St. Brendan, the Irish Saint, across the Atlantic Ocean appeared. According to this legend, the Saint could reach coast of America. Historians note that such travel could take place, but there are no established facts about its carrying out.
The hypothesis of early discovery of America by Vikings is confirmed by many scientists, however these seafarers visited only the northern continent.
Also there is an opinion that else to Columbus South America was visited by the Chinese seafarers. This assumption was stated by the English historian Gavin Menzi. According to him, in 1421 the expedition under command of Tszeng He reached coast of the Antilles. This hypothesis causes extensive discussions, but most of experts deny Menzi's theory. In particular, many researchers consider the latest forgery of the map of the New World, allegedly created by the Chinese seafarers in the 15th century.
Columbus's expeditions and further discovery of America by Europeans
Discovery of both Southern, and North America, began not with the continent, and with islands. Columbus's expedition at first landed on the Antilles, and then on the islands of Trinidad and Puerto Rico. Opening of the South American continent happened during the third expedition of the great seafarer - he visited the peninsula the Pariah in South America. Thus, discovery of South America began with modern Venezuela. In 1498, new seafarers directed to coast of America. Representatives of Spain and Portugal began to open new lands of South America. The team led by Alonso de Ojeda landed in the territory of present French Guiana. From Ojeda's team Amerigo Vespucci who with the seamen reached the mouth of Amazon separated. In four years this great seafarer reached Novaya Zemlya. It became from this point clear that this way does not conduct to India as it was supposed initially and that America is a certain big land area.
The name America was received by name by one of her pioneers, Amerigo Vespucci.
In 1500 Pedro Alvares Cobral began a research of east coast of South America, having landed in the territory of modern Brazil. In turn, the west bank of South America was explored only in 1520 by an expedition under the leadership of Ferdinand Magellan.