What was Columbus looking for when he stumbled upon America? How did sailors navigate before the invention of radar and satellites? Who won the race to the South Pole? How did the Pacific Ocean get its name? All these questions and more are answered inExplorer an outstanding and original Eyewitness Guide.Beginning with the earliest recorded journeys 4 000 years ago this books follows the story of exploration from the journeys of the Phoenicians and Greeks in the Mediterranean right through to the latest voyages into outer space. Explorers have had various reasons for risking their lives when setting out across the world. Marco Polo was searching for new trade routes David Livingstone travelled across Africa as a missionary while others were motivated by the need to chart and map new areas. With a series of specifically commissioned photographs many from specialist museum collections Explorer unfolds the story of exploration in a unique and exciting way.Produced in association with the National Maritime Museum Greenwich London Explorer is an original and informative visual guide to the world of exploration.