<Tr> <Th> Known for </Th> <Td> First European to travel inland in North America . Claimed what is now known as Canada for France . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Signature </Th> </Tr> <P> Jacques Cartier (French pronunciation: ​ (ʒak kaʁtje); Breton: Jakez Karter; December 31, 1491--September 1, 1557) was a Breton explorer who claimed what is now Canada for France . Jacques Cartier was the first European to describe and map the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the shores of the Saint Lawrence River, which he named "The Country of Canadas", after the Iroquois names for the two big settlements he saw at Stadacona (Quebec City) and at Hochelaga (Montreal Island). </P> <P> Jacques Cartier was born in 1491 in Saint - Malo, the port on the north - west coast of Brittany . Cartier, who was a respectable mariner, improved his social status in 1520 by marrying Mary Catherine des Granches, member of a leading family . His good name in Saint - Malo is recognized by its frequent appearance in baptismal registers as godfather or witness . </P>

French explorer who first arrived in canada in 1534