Which explorer gave his name to Australia?

James Cook

During his 1770 expedition, James Cook meticulously mapped the east coast of Australia, thereby laying the foundation for the British claim to the region under the name of New South Wales. This act marked the beginning of European colonization on the Australian continent. Recognized for his precise contributions to the mapping of the world, Cook played a crucial role in making Australia accessible for exploration and colonization by Europe. His legacy endures, not only in the history of navigation but also in shaping the global cultural and territorial interactions that followed.