Christopher Columbus (1451-1506). Italian-born explorer, often, although erroneously, credited with the discovery of America. On a Spanish supported voyage, he landed in the Bahamas in October 1492 whilst searching for the Western route to China. He called the people he found there "Indians" because he thought he had landed in India. He had made three other journeys by 1503, mainly around the Caribbean, eventually reaching the American mainland in Central America. He died in poverty still thinking he had found a route whereby he could reach "The East" by sailing west.

John Cabot (c.1450-c.1498). Italian-born British navigator sailed from Bristol in search of a western route to India and landed in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland in 1497. It is generally assumed that on a second voyage in 1498, he reached America, although evidence is scant. There has been speculation that America was named after his mentor, Richard ap Merick (or Ameryk), a wealthy Welsh-born Bristol merchant.

Amerigo Vespucci (1452-1512). Italian navigator and explorer. He was the first to consider America as a separate continent, and it was reputedly named after him. Vespucci made several expeditions along the coast of Central and South America.