Admiral James Cook was a British explorer, navigator, and cartographer born on October 27, 1728. He is best known for his three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, during which he mapped many areas, including the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. His detailed maps greatly improved European knowledge of the Pacific region. Cook's expeditions contributed significantly to the fields of geography and navigation. He was the first European to make contact with the eastern coast of New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands. Cook's voyages also played a crucial role in the expansion of the British Empire in the 18th century.