Magellan fuelled globalisation and proved that the Earth was not flat

Boats in the Strait of Magellan, a passage of water between mainland South America and Tierra del Fuego. — dpa

Like many of his fellow explorers, Ferdinand Magellan stumbled upon his greatest discovery unexpectedly.

Five hundred years ago, the Portuguese navigator was looking for a new route to what were known as the Spice Islands in the Pacific.