1. James Cook (1728-1779)

2. James Cook was born on October 27, 1728 in Marton, Britain. He sailed around the world twice!

3. He also had secret orders to seek a southern continent He set out on his first voyage round the world on the ship Endeavour.

4. On August 22, 1770, Cook claimed for Great Britain the eastern coast of New Holland (now Australia) The name "Australia" was not used until the early 1800s.

5. Cook’s second journey lasted from 1772 to 1775 RESOLUTION In July 1776 Cook set sail on his third voyage, again on the Resolution

6. On February 14, 1779 Cook was stabbed to death by Hawaiian natives

7. Cook Strait lies between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It is twenty kilometres wide (twelve miles) at its narrowest point. The city of Wellington stands on its northern side. On its southern side there are the Marlborough Sounds and Cloudy Bay.