Ericson, Leif

A Norwegian explorer of about the year 1000. He is said to have discovered a place in North America called Vinland. Several locations are possible for Vinland, including the Canadian province of Newfoundland and New England.

Note: Ericson, rather than Christopher Columbus, is sometimes called the European discoverer of America. His discovery, however, is not indisputably documented, as the discovery of Columbus is. Also, Ericson's voyages, unlike the voyages of Columbus, did not result in continuous colonization.