Willem Barentsz was a Dutch explorer born around 1550, known for his attempts to find a northeast passage to Asia. He made three significant voyages to the Arctic regions, particularly around the Svalbard archipelago and the Kara Sea. His expeditions contributed to the mapping of these areas and increased European knowledge of the Arctic. During his final voyage in 1596, Barentsz and his crew became trapped in ice near Nova Zembla. After spending several months there, they faced harsh conditions, leading to Barentsz's death. His explorations laid the groundwork for future Arctic exploration and highlighted the challenges of navigating these icy waters.