Throughout history, humans have sought out knowledge of the world and its inner workings. Some among us are filled with a desire to explore distant cultures, while others prefer to trek untrodden paths and conquer the elements. In different periods, these great explorers took to land, sea, air and even space in their pursuit to expand our horizons. Learn more about their tribulations and triumphs below.
1. Ibn Battuta (1304-1369)
In 1325, at the age of only 21, Ibn Battuta set out on the hajj, a pilgrimage made by Muslims, from his homeland of Morocco to Mecca. Thus began a 75,000-mile journey that would take him across the Islamic world and beyond, over a span of two decades. Battuta travelled through Syria, onward to Turkey, down the eastern coast of Africa to India, and eventually reached Indonesia and China.
