Megellan's Voyage In a time of confusion and conquering, the ocean was the biggest mystery, and the most important thing to the planet, because it allowed for expansion. The known world was split in half by the division of Spain and Portugal, and for all they cared, there was nothing beyond their boundaries, but from Spain rose an explorer who swore there must be more. Fernao de Mangelhaes, otherwise known as Ferdinand Magellan, was a Portugese explorer who sailed in the name of Spain and didn't back down to any challenges the ocean brought to him. According to Simon Winchester, Magellan set sail on September 20, 1529, in se