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The Incredible Story of the Magellan-Elcano Circumnavigation 1519-1522

History Documentaries

September 2022 marks the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the globe by the expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan (Fernando de Magallanes/Fernão de Magalhães), and completed by Juan Sebastian Elcano- and it should be mentioned, a young slave boy by the name of Henry (Enrique) of Malacca. The story of how the spurned Portuguese Captain went to work for the Spanish is full of court intrigue, international espionage, daring exploits and narrow escapes; but also one of tragic blunders, mutiny and betrayal. Underscoring the fierce competition between Spain and Portugal for naval supremacy and a trade monopoly to the Orient is also the drama of East-West confrontation; the demise of Islamic hegemony and the emergence of European global economic & military dominance and a clash of cultures that changed the face of the world forever.

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