Which explorer is attributed as the first nonaboriginal person to explore North America?

The contribution of Erik the Red to the exploration of North America is significant, primarily due to his establishment of settlements in Greenland and the discovery of land that came to be known as Vinland, which is believed to be part of present-day Newfoundland, Canada. Erik the Red's explorations occurred around the late 10th century and he is often credited with being among the earliest Europeans to set foot on North American soil.

While other explorers mentioned have made notable contributions to the exploration of the world, none of them can be directly linked to the first nonaboriginal explorations of North America in the same way Erik the Red can. Christopher Columbus, for instance, is often recognized for his voyages to the Caribbean in the late 15th century, but he did not reach the continental mainland of North America. Vasco da Gama is known for his sea route to India, which is unrelated to North American exploration. Leif Erikson, Erik the Red’s son, is also attributed with exploring parts of North America; however, Erik the Red's expeditions are often noted as the initial foray into the region, making him a significant figure in this context.