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Early exploration of the Arctic often reflected investigations towards the possibility of a "Northwest" passage from Europe to China.

Even in 1534, explorers like Jacques Cartier or Martin Frobisher explored what is now known as eastern Canada, for a faster route to China. In particular, explorer John Davis made three voyages attempts, and Henry Hudson later tried unsuccessfully in 1610, after his crew abandoned him during a mutiny in what is now known today as Hudson Bay.

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Canadian Arctic Voyage Routes: 1497 - 1650

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Exploration Map fig. 1: Map source department: Natural Resources Canada.

(This is an unoffical map)

Selected Voyage Route - John Davis 1585, 1586, 1587

(Exploration Map Fig. 2 Image)