<P> Vespucci's real historical importance may well rest more in his letters, whether he wrote them all or not, than in his discoveries . From these letters, the European public learned about the newly discovered continents of the Americas for the first time; its existence became generally known throughout Europe within a few years of the letters' publication . </P> <P> The first and fourth voyages are perhaps fabulous, but the second and third are certain . </P> <P> A letter published in 1504 purports to be an account by Vespucci, written to Soderini, of a lengthy visit to the New World, leaving Spain in May 1497 and returning in October 1498 . However, modern scholars have doubted that this voyage took place, and consider this letter a forgery . Whoever did write the letter makes several observations of native customs, including use of hammocks and sweat lodges . </P> <P> About 1499--1500, Vespucci joined an expedition in the service of Spain, with Alonso de Ojeda (or Hojeda) as the fleet commander . The intention was to sail around the southern end of the African mainland into the Indian Ocean . After hitting land at the coast of what is now Guyana, the two seem to have separated . Vespucci sailed southward, discovering the mouth of the Amazon River and reaching 6 ° S, before turning around and seeing Trinidad and the Orinoco River and returning to Spain by way of Hispaniola . The letter, to Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de' Medici, claims that Vespucci determined his longitude celestially on August 23, 1499, while on this voyage . However, that claim may be fraudulent, which could cast doubt on the letter's credibility . </P>

What italian explorer was the namesake for america