description Abel Tasman Overview
Abel Tasman was a Dutch navigator and explorer employed by the Dutch East India Company during the 17th century. On his 1642-1643 voyage, he became the first known European to reach Tasmania and New Zealand, then continued through parts of the Pacific including Tonga and Fiji. A later voyage in 1644 charted sections of Australia's northern coast, although he did not establish that Australia was a single continent.
help Abel Tasman FAQ
What countries did Abel Tasman discover during his famous voyage?
During his 1642-1643 voyage, Abel Tasman became the first known European to reach the islands of Tasmania and New Zealand. His expedition also charted parts of Tonga and Fiji in the Pacific Ocean.
Who employed Abel Tasman for his 17th-century expeditions?
Abel Tasman was a Dutch navigator employed by the Dutch East India Company, known as the VOC. The company commissioned him in the 17th century to explore the Southern Hemisphere for new trading routes.
What was Abel Tasman's original name for Tasmania?
When Abel Tasman first sighted Tasmania in 1642, he named it "Van Diemen's Land" in honor of Anthony van Diemen, the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. The island kept this name until it was officially renamed Tasmania in 1856.
How did Abel Tasman's crew interact with the Māori people?
Abel Tasman's first encounter with the Māori people in New Zealand ended in violence and the deaths of four of his crewmen. Due to this hostile reception in what he called "Murderers' Bay," Tasman never actually stepped foot on New Zealand soil.
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