Whose Expedition First Mapped the Pacific?

British navigator Captain James Cook conducted three major voyages of exploration between 1768 and 1779, producing the first accurate charts of the Pacific Ocean, including the coastlines of New Zealand, eastern Australia, Hawaii, and numerous Pacific islands. His first voyage (1768–1771) circumnavigated New Zealand and mapped Australia's east coast. Cook's meticulous cartography, astronomical observations, and efforts to prevent scurvy set new standards for maritime exploration. He was killed in a confrontation with Hawaiians in 1779 during his third voyage.