Which explorer completed the first circumnavigation expedition after Magellan’s death?

Juan Sebastián Elcano completed the first circumnavigation expedition after Ferdinand Magellan’s death.

Magellan’s Spanish expedition departed in 1519 with five ships seeking a westward route to the Spice Islands. Magellan was killed in the Philippines in April 1521, before the voyage was complete. Elcano, a Basque mariner, then took command of the surviving ship Victoria for the return journey.

Victoria reached Sanlúcar de Barrameda on 6 September 1522 and arrived in Seville two days later. Only 18 of the original crew returned aboard the ship. Elcano’s achievement demonstrated in practice the global scale of Earth and connected the Atlantic and Pacific routes.

Magellan is often credited with the first circumnavigation, but he did not live to finish it. The expedition bears his name because he organized and led most of the journey; Elcano was the commander who completed the voyage.