Elcano

Elcano refers to Juan Sebastián Elcano, a Spanish navigator of Basque origin who completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth. Born in Getaria in the Basque region, he pursued a seafaring career as a merchant and sailor. In 1519 he joined Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition to find a westward route to the Spice Islands, serving as a navigator on the voyage that departed from Spain with multiple ships.

After Magellan was killed in the Philippines in 1521, Elcano assumed command of the remaining expedition aboard the Victoria. He steered the ship across the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope, and across the Atlantic, returning to Seville in 1522 with a small crew and valuable spice cargo. The voyage completed the first known circumnavigation of the globe and demonstrated the interconnected nature of global trade and navigation.

Elcano’s achievement had a lasting influence on maritime history and European geostrategy in the early modern era. His name has been commemorated in various ships, streets, and institutions. Notably, the Spanish Navy operates the training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano (A-71), named in his honor. The legacy of his voyage underscores the expeditionary spirit of the Age of Exploration and its pivotal role in establishing global sea routes.