European sighting of the Pacific Ocean

What was discovered

Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama and sighted the Pacific, demonstrating that America was a continental landmass separated from Asia by another ocean. He claimed the 'South Sea' for Castile.

Coordinates of the Gulf of San Miguel, where Balboa entered the sea. Kuna and Chocó Indigenous guides led him; the Pacific was obviously known to the peoples of its coasts.

What it led to

• The search for a passage to the Pacific (Magellan)
• The conquest of Peru from Panama
• The concept of America as a New World (already named by Waldseemüller in 1507)

Built on

• Colonisation of Darién
• Indigenous reports of a sea to the south

Made possible

• Trans-isthmian route across Panama
• Manila galleon

Links