The story ofAlexander

vonHumboldt

The Beginning The JourneyClimbingLater in lifeP.Y.PThe route of Alexander von HumboldtTimelineOur little movie

Alexander Von Humboldt was born in 1769, Berlin, Germany. He was a very smart young boy so in 1773 (4 years old) he already knew how to read and write very well. His father was an officer and died in 1778 when Alexander was only 9. So he and his brother Wilhelm were raised by their mother.

In 1792 (aged 22) he began a job as a government mine inspector in Franconia, Prussia.

Humboldt’s Job

Humboldt set sail for South America on June 5th, 1779, with the best scientific instruments of his time – sextants, compasses , telescopes and microscopes. He was a scientist , geologist, archaeologist, geographer, zoologist and explorer, intent on finding out about the unity of nature.

Humboldt eventually visited the Canary Islands, Venezuela, Brazil, Cuba, Columbia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico and the Eastern United States.

He collected geological, zoological, botanical and ethnographical specimens, including 60,000 rare species of new tropical plants.

While he was there Humboldt discovered what we now call the Humboldt Current on the west coast of South America. He was investigating why the interior of Peru was so dry. The current is a cold ocean current that flows along most of the western coast of South America.

Humboldt was the first person to help preserve the Cinchona plant because it was over harvested at that time and it’s bark contains quinine which is used to cure Malaria. Humboldt was also the first person to make accurate maps of the Inca ruins in South America.

Von Humboldt discovered and mapped the Casiquiare Canal, the only natural canal that connects two major rivers. He was also the first to discover the importance of guano, which is dried droppings of fish-eating birds, which is an excellent fertilizer.

Von Humboldt studied electricity and is credited as discovering the first animal that produced electricity, the electric eel.

Water, Water, Everywhere

Climbing He climbed near the summit of

Mt. Chimborazo (20,720 ft), he reached 19,860 ft. He climbed in 1802.

Portrait of Alexander von Humboldt with Mt. Chimborazo in the background.

Later in Life

When Alexander Von Humboldt travelled to the Ural Mountains in Siberia and to Central Asia, he was at an old age of 60. He wrote books about his discoveries. One of his books, “A Personal Narrative”, inspired young Charles Darwin. His last masterpiece “Kosmos” tried to unify all science. He died at an age of 90 leaving “Kosmos” unfinished.

Baron Alexander von Humboldt died on May 6th 1859. He was given a lavish funeral which Berlin usually reserved for royalty. He was buried on the family estate at Schloss Tegel.

After Death

After his death many things were named after him like a current, a river, a mountain range, a reservoir, a salt marsh, parks many counties and towns are all named after him.

PYPWe think Alexander Von Humboldt was an Inquirer because he was a zoologist and he studies a lot of animals and plants.

We think Alexander von Humboldt was a Knowledgeable person because he learned many things at a very young age. He also wrote 30 volumes of books in French when he was German.

PYPWe think Alexander Von Humboldt was a very good Communicator because he was German and he knew how to read, write and speak French.

I think Alexander Von Humboldt is a Reflective person Because he had to think back on what plants he found.

The timelineMy timeline

1769

Alexander was born

1775

He knew how to read and write well

1778

His dad died

1799

He mapped over1700 miles of the Orinoco river

1800

He travelled to South America

1802

He climbed Mt Chimborazo

1803

He explored Mexico

1804

He wrote 30 volumes on field studies in Paris and stayed for 23 years

Alex died

1859

PLEASE APLAUD

By Vanessa, Kirsten, Sophie, Mao and Sam

Made by Kirsten, Vanessa, Sam, Mao, Sophie

Edited by Kirsten, Vanessa, Sam , Mao, Sophie

Special thanks to Mr. Baron and Mr. Fennely

Pictures from the internet

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