How many European explorers sailed between 1500 and 1600?

Between 1500 and 1600, numerous European explorers set sail, driven by the age of discovery. Notable figures include Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, and Sir Francis Drake, among many others. The exact number of explorers is difficult to quantify, but hundreds undertook voyages during this century, seeking new trade routes and territories. This period significantly expanded European knowledge of the world and led to widespread colonization.