Great Russian travelers and their discoveries. Famous geographers and travelers - biblioguide

Everything that we know now was once discovered by people - pioneers. Some swam across the ocean for the first time and found new land, someone became a space discoverer, someone was the first to dive into the deepest cavity in the world in a bathyscaphe. Thanks to the ten pioneers below, today we know the world as it really is.

• Leif Eriksson/Leifur Eiriksson is the first European of Icelandic origin, who, according to some scientists, was the first to visit the continent of North America. Around the 11th century, this Scandinavian sailor lost his course and landed on some shore, which he later called “Vinland”. Of course, there is no documentary evidence of which part North America he landed. Some archaeologists claim that they have discovered Viking settlements in Newfoundland, Canada.

• Sacajawea, or Sakagawea/Sakakawea, Sacajawea is a girl of Indian origin, on whom Meriwether Lewis and his partner William Clark completely relied during their expedition, the path of which ran across the entire American continent. The girl walked with these researchers more than 6,473 kilometers. On top of that, the girl had a newborn baby in her arms. During this journey in 1805, Sacagawea found her lost brother. The girl is mentioned in the films "Night at the Museum" and "Night at the Museum 2".

• Christopher Columbus is a navigator of Spanish origin who discovered America, but because he and his expedition were looking for a sea route to India, Christopher believed that the lands he discovered were Indian. In 1492, his expedition discovered the Bahamas, Cuba and a number of other Caribbean islands. Christopher set sail for the first time at the age of 13.

• Amerigo Vespucci is the man after whom the continent of America was named. Although Columbus essentially made this discovery, it was Americo Vespucci who documented the “find”. In 1502 he explored the shores South America, and it was then that well-deserved fame and honor came to him.

• James Cook is a captain who managed to sail much further into southern waters than any of his contemporaries. Cook has a proven fact about the falsity of the northern route through the Arctic from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It is known that Captain James Cook made 2 expeditions around the world, mapped the islands in the Pacific Ocean, as well as Australia, for which he was subsequently eaten by the aborigines. So much for gratitude.

• William Beebe is a twentieth-century naturalist explorer. In 1934, he descended to 922 meters on a bathysphere and told people that “the world under water is no less strange than on another planet.” Although how does he know how life is on other planets?

• Chuck Yeager is a general in the US Air Force. In 1947, the first one broke the sound barrier. In 1952, Chuck flew at twice the speed of sound. Chuck Yeager, in addition to setting speed records, was a trainer for pilots of such space programs as Apollo, Gemini and Mercury.

• Louise Arne Boyd known to the world also under the nickname " Ice woman" She received this nickname due to her explorations of Greenland. In 1955, she flew over the North Pole and was the first woman to do so in an airplane. She is also responsible for the discovery of underwater mountain range in the Arctic Ocean.

• Yuri Gagarin / Yuri Gagarin - April 12, 1961, the first of all people living on our planet to be in space. Its first flight lasted a whopping 108 minutes. This was a real achievement in astronautics.

• Anousheh Ansari is the first female space tourist. She made her flight in September 2006. One can also add to her achievements that she was the first of all those who have been in orbit to blog on the Internet from space.

Russian navigators, along with European ones, are the most famous pioneers who discovered new continents, sections of mountain ranges and vast water areas. They became discoverers of significant geographical objects, took the first steps in the development of hard-to-reach territories, and traveled around the world. So who are they, the conquerors of the seas, and what exactly did the world learn about thanks to them?

Afanasy Nikitin - the very first Russian traveler

Afanasy Nikitin is rightfully considered the first Russian traveler who managed to visit India and Persia (1468-1474, according to other sources 1466-1472). On the way back he visited Somalia, Turkey, and Muscat. Based on his travels, Afanasy compiled the notes “Walking across the Three Seas,” which became popular and unique historical and literary aids. These notes became the first book in Russian history not written in the format of a story about a pilgrimage, but describing the political, economic and cultural features of the territories.

He was able to prove that even being a member of a poor peasant family, you can become a famous explorer and traveler. Streets and embankments in several places are named after him. Russian cities, motor ship, passenger train and aircraft.

Semyon Dezhnev, who founded the Anadyr fortress

Cossack ataman Semyon Dezhnev was an Arctic navigator who became the discoverer of a number of geographical objects. Wherever Semyon Ivanovich served, everywhere he sought to study new and previously unknown things. He was even able to cross the East Siberian Sea on a homemade kocha, going from Indigirka to Alazeya.

In 1643, as part of a detachment of explorers, Semyon Ivanovich discovered Kolyma, where he and his associates founded the city of Srednekolymsk. A year later, Semyon Dezhnev continued his expedition, walked along the Bering Strait (which did not yet have this name) and discovered the most eastern point continent, later called Cape Dezhnev. An island, a peninsula, a bay, and a village also bear his name.

In 1648, Dezhnev hit the road again. His ship was wrecked in the waters located in the southern part of the Anadyr River. Having arrived on skis, the sailors went up the river and stayed there for the winter. Subsequently this place appeared on geographical maps and received the name Anadyrsky fort. As a result of the expedition, the traveler was able to do detailed descriptions, make a map of those places.

Vitus Jonassen Bering, who organized expeditions to Kamchatka

Two Kamchatka expeditions inscribed the names of Vitus Bering and his associate Alexei Chirikov into the history of marine discoveries. During the first voyage, the navigators conducted research and were able to supplement the geographical atlas with objects located in Northeast Asia and on the Pacific coast of Kamchatka.

The discovery of the Kamchatka and Ozerny peninsulas, the Kamchatka, Krest, Karaginsky bays, Provedeniya Bay, and St. Lawrence Island is also the merit of Bering and Chirikov. At the same time, another strait was found and described, which later became known as the Bering Strait.

The second expedition was undertaken by them to find a way to North America and study the Pacific Islands. On this journey, Bering and Chirikov founded the Peter and Paul fort. It took its name from the combined names of their ships (“St. Peter” and “St. Paul”) and subsequently became the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

On the approach to the shores of America, the ships of like-minded people lost sight of each other, due to heavy fog. "St. Peter", controlled by Bering, sailed to the west coast of America, but was caught in a severe storm on the way back - the ship was thrown onto an island. The last minutes of Vitus Bering’s life passed on it, and the island subsequently began to bear his name. Chirikov also reached America on his ship, but completed his voyage safely, having discovered several islands of the Aleutian ridge on the way back.

Khariton and Dmitry Laptev and their “name” sea

Cousins ​​Khariton and Dmitry Laptev were like-minded people and assistants to Vitus Bering. It was he who appointed Dmitry as commander of the ship “Irkutsk”, and his double boat “Yakutsk” was led by Khariton. They took part in the Great Northern Expedition, the purpose of which was to study, accurately describe and map the Russian shores of the ocean, from the Yugorsky Shar to Kamchatka.

Each of the brothers made a significant contribution to the development of new territories. Dmitry became the first navigator to take photographs of the coast from the mouth of the Lena to the mouth of the Kolyma. He compiled detailed maps of these places, using mathematical calculations and astronomical data as a basis.

Khariton Laptev and his associates conducted research on the northernmost section of the Siberian coast. It was he who determined the dimensions and outlines of the huge Taimyr Peninsula - he carried out surveys of its eastern coast, and was able to identify the exact coordinates of the coastal islands. The expedition took place in difficult conditions - a large number of ice, snowstorms, scurvy, ice captivity - Khariton Laptev’s team had to endure a lot. But they continued the work they had started. On this expedition, Laptev's assistant Chelyuskin discovered a cape, which was later named in his honor.

Noting the great contribution of the Laptevs to the development of new territories, members of the Russian Geographical Society decided to name one of the largest seas in the Arctic after them. Also, the strait between the mainland and the island of Bolshoy Lyakhovsky is named in honor of Dmitry, and the western coast of the island of Taimyr is named after Khariton.

Krusenstern and Lisyansky - organizers of the first Russian circumnavigation

Ivan Kruzenshtern and Yuri Lisyansky are the first Russian navigators to circumnavigate the world. Their expedition lasted three years (began in 1803 and ended in 1806). They and their teams set off on two ships, which were named “Nadezhda” and “Neva”. The travelers passed through the Atlantic Ocean, entered the waters Pacific Ocean. The sailors followed them to Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and Sakhalin.

This trip allowed me to collect important information. Based on data obtained by seafarers, a detailed map Pacific Ocean. Another important result of the first Russian round-the-world expedition was the data obtained about the flora and fauna of the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka, local residents, their customs and cultural traditions.

During their journey, the sailors crossed the equator and, according to maritime traditions, could not leave this event without a well-known ritual - a sailor dressed as Neptune greeted Krusenstern and asked why his ship had arrived where he had never been Russian flag. To which I received the answer that they are here solely for the glory and development of domestic science.

Vasily Golovnin - the first navigator who was rescued from Japanese captivity

Russian navigator Vasily Golovnin led two expeditions around the world. In 1806, he, being in the rank of lieutenant, received a new appointment and became commander of the sloop "Diana". Interestingly, this is the only case in the history of the Russian fleet when a lieutenant was entrusted with the control of a ship.

The leadership set the goal of the round-the-world expedition to study the North Pacific Ocean, with special attention to that part of it that is located within the borders of the native country. Diana's path was not easy. The sloop passed the island of Tristan da Cunha, passed the Cape of Hope and entered a port owned by the British. Here the ship was detained by the authorities. The British informed Golovnin about the outbreak of war between the two countries. The Russian ship was not declared captured, but the crew was not allowed to leave the bay. Having spent more than a year in this situation, in mid-May 1809 the Diana, led by Golovnin, tried to escape, which the sailors successfully succeeded in doing - the ship arrived in Kamchatka.

Golovnin received his next important task in 1811 - he was supposed to compile descriptions of the Shantar and Kuril Islands, the shores of the Tatar Strait. During his journey, he was accused of not adhering to the principles of sakoku and was captured by the Japanese for more than 2 years. It was possible to rescue the team from captivity only thanks to good relationship one of the Russian naval officers and an influential Japanese merchant who was able to convince his government of the harmless intentions of the Russians. It is worth noting that before this, no one in history had ever returned from Japanese captivity.

In 1817-1819, Vasily Mikhailovich made another trip around the world on the Kamchatka ship, specially built for this purpose.

Thaddeus Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev - discoverers of Antarctica

Captain of the second rank Thaddeus Bellingshausen was determined to find the truth in the question of the existence of the sixth continent. In 1819, he went out to the open sea, carefully preparing two sloops - Mirny and Vostok. The latter was commanded by his like-minded friend Mikhail Lazarev. The first round-the-world Antarctic expedition set itself other tasks. In addition to finding irrefutable facts confirming or refuting the existence of Antarctica, the travelers planned to explore the waters of three oceans - the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian.

The results of this expedition exceeded all expectations. During the 751 days that it lasted, Bellingshausen and Lazarev were able to do several significant geographical discoveries. Of course, the most important of them is the existence of Antarctica, this historical event occurred on January 28, 1820. Also, during the trip, about two dozen islands were found and mapped, sketches of Antarctic views, and images of representatives of the Antarctic fauna were created.

Interestingly, attempts to discover Antarctica were made more than once, but none of them were successful. European navigators believed that either it did not exist, or it was located in places that were simply impossible to reach by sea. But the Russian travelers had enough perseverance and determination, so the names of Bellingshausen and Lazarev were included in the lists greatest navigators peace.

There are also modern travelers. One of them .

If you think that all outstanding wanderers remained in the era of great geographical discoveries, then we hasten to convince you: amazing travel Our contemporaries also do this. It is these people that we will talk about.

Photo: background-pictures.picphotos.net

If we talk about the great travelers of our time, then we cannot ignore the unique talent of Fyodor Filippovich Konyukhov to conquer what, at first glance, is impossible to conquer. Today Konyukhov is the first of the best travelers on the planet to conquer the North and South Poles, highest peaks world, seas and oceans. He has more than forty expeditions to the most inaccessible places on our planet.

A descendant of northern Pomors from the Arkhangelsk province was born on the shore Sea of ​​Azov in the fishing village of Chkalovo. His insatiable thirst for knowledge led to the fact that already at the age of 15, Fedor sailed across the Sea of ​​Azov on a fishing rowing boat. This was the first step towards great achievements. Over the next twenty years, Konyukhov takes part in expeditions to the North and South Poles, conquers the highest peaks, makes four trips around the world, participates in a dog sled race, and crosses the Atlantic Ocean fifteen times. In 2002, the traveler made a solo voyage across the Atlantic in a rowing boat and set a record. More recently, on May 31, 2014, Konyukhov was greeted in Australia with several records at once. The famous Russian became the first to cross the Pacific Ocean from continent to continent. It cannot be said that Fyodor Filippovich is a person fixated only on travel. In addition to the nautical school, the great traveler has the Belarusian Art School in Bobruisk and the Modern Humanitarian University in Moscow. In 1983, Fyodor Konyukhov became the youngest member of the Union of Artists of the USSR. He is also the author of twelve books about own experience overcoming the difficulties of travel. At the end of the legendary crossing of the Pacific Ocean, Konyukhov said that he was not going to stop there. He has new projects in his plans: a flight around the world on hot-air balloon, circumnavigating the world in 80 days for the Jules Verne Cup on a keelboat with a crew, diving into the Mariana Trench.

Today, this young English traveler, TV presenter and writer is known to an audience of millions thanks to the highest-rated television program on the Discovery Channel. In October 2006, the program “Survive at Any Cost” began airing with his participation. The goal of the TV presenter is not only to entertain the viewer, but also to give valuable advice and recommendations that may be useful in unforeseen situations.

Bear was born in Great Britain into a family of hereditary diplomats and received an excellent education at the elite Ladgrove School and the University of London. Parents did not interfere with their son’s passion for sailing, rock climbing and martial arts. But the future traveler acquired the skills of endurance and the ability to survive in the army, where he mastered parachute jumping and mountaineering. These skills helped him subsequently achieve his cherished goal - conquering Everest. This event occurred at the very end of the last century, in 1998. Bear Grylls has simply irrepressible energy. The list of his travels is huge. From 2000 to 2007 he sailed around the British Isles in thirty days to raise funds for the British Royal Water Rescue Society; crossed the North Atlantic on an inflatable boat; flew over Angel Falls in a steam-powered airplane, had lunch in a balloon at an altitude of more than seven thousand meters; paraglided over the Himalayas... In 2008, the traveler led an expedition organized with the goal of climbing one of the most remote unconquered peaks in Antarctica. Almost all expeditions in which Grylls participates are charitable.

If you think that long journeys are the prerogative of the strong half of humanity, then you are deeply mistaken. And this was proven by the young American Abby Sunderland, who at the age of 16 circumnavigated the world alone on a yacht. It’s interesting that Abby’s parents not only allowed her to undertake such a risky undertaking, but also helped her prepare for it. It should be noted that the girl’s father is a professional sailor.

On January 23, 2010, the yacht left the port of Marina Del Rey in California. Unfortunately, the first voyage was unsuccessful. The second attempt took place on February 6. Very soon Abby reported damage to the yacht's hull and engine failure. At this time she was between Australia and Africa, 2 thousand miles from the coast. After this, contact with the girl was interrupted, and nothing was known about her. The search operation was unsuccessful, and Abby was declared missing. However, a month later, a distress signal was received from the yacht from the southern Indian Ocean. After 11 hours of searching by Australian rescuers, a yacht was discovered in a severe storm area, in which, fortunately, Abby was safe and sound. A large supply of food and water helped her survive. The girl reported that all the time after the last communication session she had to overcome the storm, and she physically could not get in touch and send a radiogram. Abby's example inspires those with a brave spirit to test their limits and never stop there.

One of the most original travelers of our time spent thirteen years of his life on his unusual journey around the world. The non-standard situation was that Jason refused the achievements of civilization in the form of any technology. The former British cleaner went on his trip around the world with a bicycle, a boat and... rollerblades!

Photo: mikaelstrandberg.com

The expedition started from Greenwich in 1994. 27-year-old Lewis chose his friend Steve Smith as his partner. In February 1995, travelers reached the United States. After 111 days of sailing, the friends decided to cross the states separately. In 1996, Lewis, traveling on roller skates, was hit by a car. He spent nine months in the hospital. After recovery, Lewis goes to Hawaii, and from there sails on a pedal boat to Australia. In the Solomon Islands it hit the epicenter civil war, and off the coast of Australia he was attacked by an alligator. Upon arrival in Australia, Lewis interrupts his trip due to financial difficulties and for some time works in a funeral home and sells T-shirts. In 2005, he moved to Singapore, from there to China, from which he moved to India. Having crossed the country by bicycle, the Briton reached Africa by March 2007. The rest of Lewis's journey takes him through Europe. He cycled through Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, Germany and Belgium, then swam across the English Channel before returning to London in October 2007, completing his unique journey around the world. James Lewis proved to the whole world and to himself that there are no limits to human capabilities.

Photo: mikaelstrandberg.com

Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean on 3 caravels (Santa Maria, Pinta and Niña) and reached the island. San Selvador (the official date of discovery of America is October 12, 1492) On 3 caravels (Santa Maria, Pinta and Niña) he crossed the Atlantic Ocean and reached the island. San Selvador (official date of discovery of America October 12, 1492) An educated, well-read man. He mistakenly assumed that he had reached India. An educated, well-read person. He mistakenly assumed that he had reached India.

Vasco da Gama () Portuguese navigator. B sailed from Lisbon to India, circumnavigating Africa, and back, pioneering the sea route from Europe to South Asia. Portuguese navigator. B sailed from Lisbon to India, circumnavigating Africa, and back, pioneering the sea route from Europe to South Asia. In 1524 he was appointed Viceroy of India. Died in India during the 3rd voyage. His ashes were sent to Portugal in 1538. In 1524 he was appointed Viceroy of India. Died in India during the 3rd voyage. His ashes were sent to Portugal in 1538.

Ferdinand Magellan (1480 - 1521) Portuguese warrior. He was forced to seek service in a foreign land, in Spain. In a foreign country he achieved the rank of flotilla commander. On September 20, 1519, he set out on an expedition to the Spice Islands (India) from the west through a strait-passage that he was about to open. Portuguese warrior. He was forced to seek service in a foreign land, in Spain. In a foreign country he achieved the rank of flotilla commander. On September 20, 1519, he set out on an expedition to the Spice Islands (India) from the west through a strait-passage that he was about to open.

The expedition included a flotilla of five ships with a crew of 265 people. The journey lasted three years. Magellan died in battle, intervening in an intertribal war, on April 27, 1521. Only the ship Victoria, under the command of El Cano, circumnavigated Africa and returned to Spain on September 6, 1522. Ship "Victoria"

The significance of F. Magellan's expedition The expedition circumnavigated the earth and confirmed its spherical shape. For the first time, Europeans passed the “South Sea,” which Magellan called the Pacific Ocean. Evidence has been obtained that the continent of South America in the south has a wedge shape.

James Cook (1728 - 79) English navigator who completed 3 expeditions around the world. English navigator who completed 3 expeditions around the world. Born into the family of a day laborer, he began working with his father at the age of 7, and began attending school at 13. Born into the family of a day laborer, he began working with his father at the age of 7, and began attending school at 13. In June 1755 he enlisted in the British navy as a sailor. In June 1755 he enlisted in the British navy as a sailor. B, already in command of the ship, completed a survey of the coast of the island of Newfoundland. B, already in command of the ship, completed a survey of the coast of the island of Newfoundland.

James Cook More than 20 geographical features are named after him, including three bays, two groups of islands and two straits. Cook's first circumnavigation of the world lasted a little over 3 years; he was awarded the rank of captain 1st rank. Killed and eaten by Hawaiians.

The significance of James Cook's expedition Discovered many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Discovered many islands in the Pacific Ocean. Found out the basic situation of New Zealand. Found out the basic situation of New Zealand. Discovered the Great Barrier Reef and the main position of Australia. Discovered the Great Barrier Reef and the main position of Australia. Discovered the Hawaiian Islands and part of the coast of Alaska. Discovered the Hawaiian Islands and part of the coast of Alaska.

Mikhail Lazarev () Russian naval commander, admiral. Made 3 expeditions around the world, with F.F. Bellingshausen discovered Antarctica. Russian naval commander, admiral. Made 3 expeditions around the world, with F.F. Bellingshausen discovered Antarctica. In 1800 he was assigned to the Naval Cadet Corps. Participated in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden. In 1800, he was assigned to the Naval Cadet Corps. Participated in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden

The significance of Lazarev's expedition Discovered Antarctica with Bellingshausen Discovered Antarctica with Bellingshausen Sailed in the Atlantic, near the Antilles and in Indian Ocean Sailed in the Atlantic, off the Antilles and in the Indian Ocean. Participated in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden. Participated in the Battle of Trafalgar and in the war with Sweden.

Thaddeus Bellingshausen () Russian navigator, admiral. Russian navigator, admiral. Participant of the 1st Russian trip around the world. Participant of the 1st Russian trip around the world. He led the 1st Antarctic expedition on the Vostok and Mirny boats. He led the 1st Antarctic expedition on the Vostok and Mirny boats.

Nikolai Przhevalsky () Russian traveler, geographer, naturalist, explorer. Russian traveler, geographer, naturalist, explorer. In 1856 he entered the Academy of the General Staff. In 1856 he entered the Academy of the General Staff. In 1867 he came to St. Petersburg, where he met with P.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, who helped organize Przhevalsky’s expedition. In 1867 he came to St. Petersburg, where he met with P.P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, who helped organize Przhevalsky’s expedition.

Nikolai Przhevalsky Przhevalsky is known as one of the greatest travelers, who spent 11 years of his life on his expeditions. Przhevalsky is known as one of the greatest travelers, who spent 11 years of his life on his expeditions. total length its working routes are km. The total length of its working routes is km.

The significance of N. Przhevalsky's expedition Discovered a number of ridges, basins and lakes in Kunlun, Tien Shan and the Tibetan Plateau Discovered a number of ridges, basins and lakes in Kunlun, Tien Shan and the Tibetan Plateau Explored the Ussuri region, where he collected an ornithological collection Explored the Ussuri region , where he collected an ornithological collection Discovered many species of plants and animals Discovered many species of plants and animals

Afanasy Nikitin (1475) Russian traveler, Tver merchant. Russian traveler, Tver merchant. Traveled to Persia and India. On the way back I visited the African coast (Somalia), Muscat, Turkey. Traveled to Persia and India. On the way back I visited the African coast (Somalia), Muscat, Turkey.

Afanasy Nikitin Nikitin turned out to be the first European who gave a valuable description of medieval India, outlining it simply and truthfully, in the book “Walking across the Three Seas”. His records are marked by versatility of observation, as well as religious tolerance, unusual for the Middle Ages, combined with devotion to the Christian faith and his native land. Nikitin turned out to be the first European who gave a valuable description of medieval India, depicting it simply and truthfully, in the book “Walking across Three Seas.” His records are marked by versatility of observation, as well as religious tolerance, unusual for the Middle Ages, combined with devotion to the Christian faith and his native land.

Afanasy Nikitin is a Russian traveler, Tver merchant and writer. Traveled from Tvrea to Persia and India (1468-1474). On the way back I visited the African coast (Somalia), Muscat and Turkey. Nikitin’s travel notes “Walking across Three Seas” are a valuable literary and historical monument. Marked by the versatility of his observations, as well as his religious tolerance, unusual for the Middle Ages, combined with devotion to the Christian faith and his native land.

Semyon Dezhnev (1605 -1673)

An outstanding Russian navigator, explorer, traveler, explorer of the Northern and Eastern Siberia. In 1648, Dezhnev was the first among the famous European navigators (80 years earlier than Vitus Bering) to navigate the Bering Strait, which separates Alaska from Chukotka. A Cossack ataman and fur trader, Dezhnev actively participated in the development of Siberia (Dezhnev himself married a Yakut woman, Abakayada Syuchyu).

Grigory Shelikhov (1747 - 1795)

Russian industrialist who carried out geographical studies Northern Pacific Islands and Alaska. Founded the first settlements in Russian America. The strait between the island is named after him. Kodiak and the North American continent, a bay in the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, a city in the Irkutsk region and a volcano in the Kuril Islands. A remarkable Russian merchant, geographer and traveler, nicknamed light hand G. R. Derzhavin “Russian Columbus”, was born in 1747 in the city of Rylsk, Kursk province, into a bourgeois family. Overcoming the space from Irkutsk to the Lama (Okhotsk) Sea became his first journey. In 1781, Shelikhov created the North-East Company, which in 1799 was transformed into the Russian-American Trading Company.

Dmitry Ovtsyn (1704 - 1757)

Russian hydrographer and traveler, led the second of the detachments of the Great Northern Expedition. He made the first hydrographic inventory of the Siberian coast between the mouths of the Ob and Yenisei. Discovered the Gydan Bay and the Gydan Peninsula. Participated in the last voyage of Vitus Bering to the shores of North America. A cape and an island in the Yenisei Bay bear his name. Dmitry Leontyevich Ovtsyn had been in the Russian fleet since 1726, took part in the first voyage of Vitus Bering to the shores of Kamchatka, and by the time the expedition was organized he had risen to the rank of lieutenant. The significance of Ovtsyn’s expedition, as well as the rest of the detachments of the Great Northern Expedition, is extremely great. Based on the inventories compiled by Ovtsyn, maps of the places he explored were prepared until the beginning of the 20th century.

Ivan Krusenstern (1770 - 1846)

Russian navigator, admiral, led the first Russian round-the-world expedition. First put on the map most coast of the island Sakhalin. One of the founders of the Russian Geographical Society. The strait in the northern part of the Kuril Islands, the passage between the island, bears his name. Tsushima and the islands of Iki and Okinoshima in the Korea Strait, islands in the Bering Strait and the Tuamotu archipelago, a mountain on Novaya Zemlya. On June 26, 1803, the ships Neva and Nadezhda left Kronstadt and headed for the shores of Brazil. This was the first passage of Russian ships to the southern hemisphere. On August 19, 1806, while staying in Copenhagen, the Russian ship was visited by a Danish prince who wished to meet with Russian sailors and listen to their stories. The first Russian circumnavigation of the world had great scientific and practical significance and attracted the attention of the whole world. Russian navigators corrected in many points english maps, considered then the most accurate.

Thaddeus Bellingshausen (1778 - 1852)

Thaddeus Bellingshausen is a Russian navigator, participant in the first Russian circumnavigation of I. F. Kruzenshtern. Leader of the first Russian Antarctic expedition to discover Antarctica. Admiral. The sea off the coast of Antarctica, the underwater basin between the continental slopes of Antarctica and South America, islands in the Pacific, Atlantic Oceans and the Aral Sea, the first Soviet polar station on the island. King George in the South Shetland Islands archipelago. The future discoverer of the southern polar continent was born on September 20, 1778 on the island of Ezel near the city of Arensburg in Livonia (Estonia).

Fyodor Litke (1797-1882)

Fyodor Litke - Russian navigator and geographer, count and admiral. Leader of the round-the-world expedition and research on Novaya Zemlya and the Barents Sea. Discovered two groups of islands in the Caroline chain. One of the founders and leaders of the Russian Geographical Society. Litke's name is given to 15 points on the map. Litke headed the nineteenth Russian round the world expedition for hydrographic surveys of little-known areas of the Pacific Ocean. Litke's journey was one of the most successful in Russian history circumnavigation of the world and was of great scientific importance. The exact coordinates of the main points of Kamchatka were determined, the islands were described - Caroline, Karaginsky, etc., the Chukotka coast from Cape Dezhnev to the mouth of the river. Anadyr. The discoveries were so important that Germany and France, arguing over the Caroline Islands, turned to Litke for advice on their location.