The document summarizes some of the key early explorers to North America from Europe in 3 sentences or less: Vikings such as Eric the Red and Leif Eriksson explored parts of Canada in the 10th-11th centuries. Marco Polo traveled extensively in Asia in the 13th century, establishing trade routes. Europeans wanted to find a sea route to Asia in the 15th century to access spices and goods, leading explorers like Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, and Giovanni da Verrazzano to explore the Americas while seeking a western passage to Asia for Spain, England, and France.