Had a goal of establishing a western route to Asian waters. In 1520, he ended up sailing through the strait of Magellan near the southern tip of South America. He went to Guam and then went to the Philippine Islands. He got into a local politics dispute there, where his own life and 40 of his crew member's lives were taken. A single ship with 18 men returned.

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who is best known for leading the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe. His voyage was a significant milestone in the Age of Discovery, as it provided the first complete circumnavigation of the Earth, proving that the world was indeed round and much larger than previously thought.

Magellan's expedition began in 1519 with five ships and a crew of approximately 270 men. The primary goal was to find a western route to the Spice Islands (now part of Indonesia) by sailing west from Europe. This was a strategic and economic objective, as the Portuguese had already established a route to the East via the Cape of Good Hope, and Spain sought an alternative route to avoid the Portuguese monopoly on the spice trade.

During the voyage, Magellan encountered several challenges. One of the most significant was navigating through the treacherous waters at the southern tip of South America. In 1520, he discovered and sailed through the Strait of Magellan, which is named after him. This strait connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and was a crucial passage for the expedition.

After navigating the strait, Magellan's fleet continued westward across the Pacific Ocean. They eventually reached the Mariana Islands, where they stopped at Guam for supplies. From there, they proceeded to the Philippine Islands, where Magellan's fate took a tragic turn. He became involved in local politics and a dispute with the ruler of the island of Mactan. In a battle on April 27, 1521, Magellan was killed, along with 40 of his crew members.

Despite Magellan's death, the expedition continued under the leadership of Juan Sebastián Elcano. Only one ship, the Victoria, with 18 men aboard, completed the circumnavigation and returned to Spain in 1522. This voyage was a significant achievement in maritime history and demonstrated the feasibility of global navigation.

Understanding the context of Magellan's voyage is essential for comprehending the broader historical narrative of exploration and the expansion of European influence across the globe. His expedition not only opened up new trade routes but also contributed to the mapping of the world and the understanding of global geography.