Captain James Cook was a British explorer, cartographer, and naval officer who is known for his extensive voyages that took him throughout the Pacific. He is most well-known for his discoveries as an explorer, including:
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Hawaiian Islands: Cook is credited as the first European to encounter the Hawaiian Islands.
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New Zealand: Cook discovered that New Zealand was an island and mapped several island groups in the Pacific that had been previously discovered by other explorers.
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Australia: Cook reached the southern coast of New South Wales in 1770 and sailed north, charting Australia’s eastern coastline and claiming the land for Great Britain on August 22, 1770.
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North American Pacific coastline: During his North-West Passage expedition from 1776-78, Cook charted swathes of the North American Pacific coastline.
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Clerke Rocks and South Sandwich Islands: Cook also discovered and named Clerke Rocks and the South Sandwich Islands ("Sandwich Land") .
Cooks voyages were extensive and he set new standards of thoroughness in discovery.
