Who was the first European to visit Polynesia?

The first European to visit Polynesia was Ferdinand Magellan during his expedition in the early 16th century. He arrived in the region in 1521, and while his contributions to the European understanding of the Pacific and Polynesia were significant, he was not as widely recognized as other navigators who followed.

Captain James Cook made a series of voyages in the late 18th century that greatly expanded European knowledge of the Pacific Islands, including many areas of Polynesia. He is often credited with extensive exploration and mapping of the region and is well-known for his interactions with the indigenous peoples of these islands.

Hernan Cortes is primarily known for his conquest of the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico, while Marco Polo is famous for his travels in Asia, particularly to China, well before the age of European exploration in the Pacific. Neither of these figures ventured into Polynesia.

While the response indicates Captain James Cook as the answer, it’s crucial to note that Ferdinand Magellan holds the distinction of being the first European to encounter Polynesia, making him the correct answer in the context of the question.