Amerigo Vespucci is the man that discovered South America and gave the continent its name. He was born March 9, 1454 in Florence, Italy. He sailed in multiple voyages for Spain and Portugal. He was interested in finding a quicker way to Asia. It was reported that he made at least 2 voyages between 1497-1504 to The New World. After his voyages, he was the first to discover that they were not making trips to Asia, but a new continent.