Born in the early 1540s, Francis Drake was an explorer. He began his long career at sea, at about the age of 12 or 13 when he boarded his first ship as an apprentice.

Drake was alive during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare. He made his living at sea by attacking Spanish ships carrying treasures from South America. He would return to England with the riches and split the profits of his expeditions with the Queen.

Francis Drake is most famous for being the first explorer to successfully circumnavigate the globe on his ship called the Golden Hinde. The journey took 3 years and gave the English a better understanding of the world which helped them draw more accurate maps.

Upon his return to England, Queen Elizabeth knighted him, which gave him the title of "Sir" Francis Drake.

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Text: Nidia Medina