Question

What did James Cook discover?

Answer 1

James Cook discovered the South Sandwich Islands, explored the east coast of Australia and made the first firmly documented visit to Hawaii.

Answer 2

James Cook's Discoveries

James Cook was a British explorer and navigator who made several significant discoveries during his voyages in the 18th century. Here are some of the notable discoveries made by James Cook:

1. Australia's East Coast: During his first voyage (1768-1771), Cook discovered and charted the eastern coast of Australia. He named it New South Wales and claimed it for Britain.

2. New Zealand: Cook also explored and mapped the coastline of New Zealand during his first voyage. He was the first European to make a detailed survey of the country.

3. Hawaiian Islands: Cook's third voyage (1776-1779) led him to the Hawaiian Islands, which he named the Sandwich Islands after the Earl of Sandwich. He made detailed maps of the islands and established friendly relations with the native people.

4. Cook Islands: Cook also discovered and named the Cook Islands, a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. He named them after himself to honor his patron, the Earl of Sandwich.

5. Antarctica: Although Cook did not discover Antarctica, he was one of the first explorers to cross the Antarctic Circle and circumnavigate the continent during his second voyage (1772-1775). He made significant contributions to the understanding of Antarctica's geography and ice formations [[1]](https://escholarship.org/content/qt8619j8s5/qt8619j8s5_noSplash_a5400d89d1ff07b274583b95028367bd.pdf).

6. Great Barrier Reef: Cook encountered and mapped the Great Barrier Reef during his first voyage. His detailed charts and descriptions of the reef helped future navigators avoid its dangers.

7. Pacific Islands: Cook's voyages also led to the discovery and mapping of numerous Pacific islands, including Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji, and Easter Island. He made important contributions to the knowledge of these islands' geography, flora, and fauna.

These are just a few of the major discoveries made by James Cook during his explorations. His voyages greatly expanded European knowledge of the Pacific region and had a significant impact on subsequent exploration and colonization.