Early Explorers of Greenland

• Erik the Red: Norwegian explorer, first European to settle Greenland (982 AD), named it "Greenland" to attract settlers.
• Leif Erikson: Erik's son, first European to reach North America (~1000 AD, Vinland).
• Bjarni Herjólfsson: Icelandic explorer, sighted North America 986 AD but did not land.
• Thorfinn Karlsefni: Led expedition to Vinland 1004 AD, spent three winters there.
• Gudrid Thorbjarnardóttir: Accompanied Karlsefni; believed first European woman to give birth in North America.

These Norse explorers laid the groundwork for later European knowledge of the North Atlantic.