Basque explorers in the Pacific Ocean
By: William A. Douglass
Series: Occasional papers series / Center for Basque Studies -- no. 25
Publisher: Center for Basque Studies, University of Nevada; Center for Basque Studies Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Reno
Language: eng
Number of pages: 232
ISBN-13: 9781935709602
Subjects: Basque; Pacific Area; Basques; Territorial expansion; Spanish; Colonies; History; Explorers; Discovery and exploration
Description: "History of Basque explorers in the Pacific during Spanish imperial expansion and colonialism"--

"The Pacific Ocean was for several centuries, from the discovery of the Strait of Magellan in 1520 until Cook's voyages in the 1700s, considered to be the 'Spanish Lake.'  However, Spain was never a monolithic entity and this book then considers 'Spanish' exploration in the Pacific from the perspective of the Basques, who have an important maritime tradition and were key figures in Pacific exploration. From Juan Sebastián Elkano's taking over command of the Victoria after Ferdinand Magellan's death and completing the first circumnavigation of the planet to Andrés de Urdaneta's discovery of the north Pacific route from the Philippines to modern-day Acapulco, Mexico, Basque mariners and ships were pivotal in European incursion into this vast area"--Back cover.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Configuring Spain and Portugal; title: Iberian explorations; title: Ferdinand Magellan; title: Andres de Urdaneta; title: Dubious fame and elusive fortune; title: Twilight of the Spanish Pacific.