The first man to circumnavigate the globe was Ferdinand Magellan, although he was killed in the Philippines before completing the journey himself. His expedition began in 1519 under the Spanish flag, aiming to find a western route to the Spice Islands. The remaining crew, led by Juan Sebastián Elcano, completed the journey, returning to Spain in 1522. Magellan's voyage was significant for demonstrating the vastness of the Earth and paving the way for global exploration and trade routes. His journey challenged contemporary notions of geography and contributed to European maritime dominance.