Final Answer:
John Cabot is credited with discovering parts of North America, specifically the territory that would later become Canada. In 1497, Cabot, an Italian explorer sailing under the English flag, made landfall, likely in Newfoundland or nearby regions, marking an early European exploration of the North American continent.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Cabot, also known as Giovanni Caboto, set sail on his expedition in 1497, seeking a westward route to Asia. Instead, he reached the shores of North America, making him one of the first Europeans to explore the continent since the Norse expeditions led by Leif Erikson around the year 1000. Cabot's discovery opened the door for subsequent European exploration and, eventually, the establishment of permanent settlements in the Americas.
The exact location of Cabot's landfall remains a subject of historical debate, with possibilities ranging from Newfoundland to other parts of the Canadian coastline. Despite the uncertainty, Cabot's journey laid the groundwork for future exploration and colonization in the Americas. His discovery, sponsored by King Henry VII of England, contributed to the English claims in the New World.
Cabot's exploration played a crucial role in the Age of Discovery, a period marked by European voyages of exploration and expansion. While Cabot himself might not have fully grasped the significance of his discovery, the expedition laid the foundation for the eventual European colonization of North America and the complex interactions that would follow between the Old and New Worlds.