The document summarizes key early explorers from the 1400s-1600s who sought routes to Asia by sea. It discusses the Vikings including Leif Eriksson who explored Canada and called it Vinland in 1002. It also discusses Marco Polo who established overland trade routes to Asia through his travels from Europe to Asia from 1261. Europeans wanted to find a water route to Asia because land travel became dangerous and kings were willing to pay sailors. Christopher Columbus asked Spain for ships in 1492 and claimed the Bahamas for Spain, while Giovanni Da Verranzano explored New York Bay for France in 1524 but never landed due to hostile Native Americans.