Captain James Cook was a British explorer and navigator born in 1728. He is best known for his three voyages across the Pacific Ocean, during which he mapped many areas, including the eastern coastline of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands. Cook's expeditions contributed significantly to the European understanding of the Pacific region. Cook's first voyage began in 1768, and he was the first European to make contact with the eastern coast of Australia in 1770. He also explored New Zealand and various islands in the Pacific, including Tahiti. His detailed maps and observations greatly advanced maritime navigation and exploration.