Expediciones científicas españolas del siglo XVIII

One of the most suggestive chapters in the history of Spain, due to its aims and achievements, is that of the Spanish scientific expeditions in the 18th century, both in America, from Tierra del Fuego to California and Alaska, as well as in the vast and little-known Pacific waters. From the Meridian expedition of the young sailors Jorge Juan and Antonio de Ulloa, which clearly established the shape and dimensions of our planet and gave rise to the Decimal Metric System, to trips to unknown or little-explored territories to discover its fauna, its flora and the way of life, customs and beliefs of its inhabitants. Such was the importance of the reports provided by these expeditions, which were developed and expanded in successive years with other protagonists; figures such as Celestino Mutis, Malaspina, Félix de Azara and many others, until reaching the first global vaccination experience that History has known, carried out by Francisco Javier Balmis, open even to nations that were enemies at that time. Essential conquests for the world that began with the Discovery of America and that continue today with the expeditions organized by the Navy in distant Antarctica.