European Discoveries
South Pacific and Indo-West Pacific
The following sequence is intended to
identify some of the events and factors which have been involved in geograp hic discoveries
in the Indo-West Pacific and South Pacific Ocean regions. It is not expected
to be exhaustive, but rather to be simple and informative and many additional questions will be
raised by incomplete information. Not always are graphical representations wholly
accurate, but reflect the best understanding by the author at this time.
The information is drawn from several references.
Things for which to watch include
- Dutch track through Indian Ocean and the role played by what is now Australia in that
track. Factors determining the track include currents, location of Batavia, continental
position
- Solving the separation of New Guinea from Australia
- Separating New Zealand from Staten Land
- Paths around the tip of South America
- Resolution of the Great Southern Continent
- Early Dutch Landfall Discoveries of Australia
- In the early 1600's the Dutch followed the Portuguese into the Indo-West Pacific.
Conditions in Europe enabled the Dutch to replace the Portuguese as the primary European
presence. With a base established at Batavia (now Djakarta) in Indonesia, the Dutch
focused their attentions on trading. Dutch geographic discoveries in the region were
largely the result of efforts to enhance or support trade for spices and precious metals.
- Abel Tasman
- Tasman commanded two Dutch voyages, each of which were intended to answer questions
about the nature of the geography of Pacific Ocean regions.
- William Dampier
- The first Englishman to reach Australia, Dampier is recognized by many for his
early years as a pirate. He had exploration and nationalist loyalty qualities unlike most
pirates.
- James Cook
- Cook's prudent, audacious, and meticulous exploration of the Pacific brought this
hitherto passively known part of the world into the political theaters of Europe.
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