Australia was first known as "terra australis incognita" or unknown southern land in Roman times. The first undisputed European sighting was by Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon in 1606. In 1642, Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovered Tasmania, naming it Van Diemen's Land. The first Englishman to see Australia was William Dampier in 1688. In 1770, Captain James Cook mapped the east coast of Australia for Britain and named the region New South Wales.

1. Australia is Discovered

2. Origin and History of the NameAustralia comes from the Latin word Australis, which means “of the south” or “southern.”

3. Origin and history of the nameLegends of an “unknown land of the south” (terra australias incognita) were common as far back as Roman times.

4. Origin and history of the nameReferences to Australia were common in medieval geography.There was no evidence at the time of Australia.The Dutch East India official called the newly discovered land (1638) Australische.The first use of the word “Australia” in English was in 1693.

5. European ExplorationMany Europeans claimed to be the first to discover Australia.French navigator BinotPaulimer de Gonneville in 1504 (actually landed in Brazil)Spanish expedition commanded by Pedro Fernandez de Quiros and piloted by Luis vaez de Torres in 1605 (actually landed in New Hebrides, now known as Vanuatu)Portuguese expedition led by Cristóvão de Mendonça in 1522None can be confirmed.

6. The DutchThe first undisputed European sighting occurred in 1606 by the Dutch.The Dutch vessel Duyfken,captained by Willem Janszoon,explored the coast of the Gulfof Carpentaria.They Dutch made one landing,were promptly attacked by theAborigines, and abandoned further exploration.

7. The DutchThe Dutch charted all of the western and northern coastlines of “New Holland”.On November 24, 1642 , AbelTasman discovered Tasmania which he named Van Diemen’s Land.Van Diemen was the headthe Dutch East India Company, Tasman’s employer.Tasman claimed Van Diemen’s Land for the Netherlands.

8. The BritishThe first Englishman to see Australia was William Dampier, a former pirate.He made two voyages around Australia (in 1688 and 1699) before returningto England.He was the first European to report Australia’s unusual,large, hopping animals

10. The BritishIn 1770, Captain James Cook sailed along and mapped the east coast of Australia. He named it New South Wales and claimed it for Britain. It became a prison colony.