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| Detail from portrait by Jacob Gerritsz. Cuyp, c. 1637 Jacob Gerritsz. Cuyp / Public domain Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ |
Abel Tasman was a Dutch explorer, seafarer, merchant, known for his voyages of 1642 and 1644 in the service of the Dutch East India Company. Abel was the first known European explorer to reach the islands of Van Diemen's Land, Fiji and New Zealand. He was born in 1603, Lutjegast, Netherlands and died on 10 October 1659, Batavia, Dutch East Indies.
Fun Facts
- Abel Tasman's full name is Abel Janszoon Tasman
- Abel's nationality was Dutch
- Abel Tasman is officially recognised as the first European to discover New Zealand in 1642.
- Joanna Tiercx was Abel's spouse (marriage. 1632-1659)
- Tasman made two voyages (1642-1644), both through the Indian and South Pacific Ocean, which helped to map the Southern Hemisphere
- Abel Tasman National Park is named after Abel Tasman. It is known for the Abel Tasman Coast Track.
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| Abel Tasman Coast Track Credit: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/nelson-tasman/places/abel-tasman-national-park/things-to-do/tracks/abel-tasman-coast-track/ |
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