# Thorfinn Karlsefni

> Icelandic explorer

**Wikidata**: [Q137732](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q137732)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorfinn_Karlsefni)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thorfinn-karlsefni

## Summary
Thorfinn Karlsefni was an Icelandic explorer and human being who lived during the late 10th and early 11th centuries. He is primarily known for his voyages of exploration in the North Atlantic, specifically his attempts to settle in Vinland (North America). As a member of the genus *Homo sapiens* with Icelandic citizenship, he represents a significant figure in early Norse exploration history.

## Biography
- **Born**: Approximately 980 CE (Date format: +0980-00-00T00:00:00Z)
- **Nationality**: Iceland (Citizenship: Q189)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Exploration and travel to search out new information in the North Atlantic
- **Employer(s)**: Not specified in source material
- **Field(s)**: Exploration (Occupation: Q11900058)

## Contributions
Thorfinn Karlsefni's primary contribution was his role as an explorer who utilized travel to search out new information. His voyages are historically significant as part of the early Norse expansion into the North Atlantic. While specific dates of discovery or named products are not detailed in the provided text, his identity as an explorer is documented through various historical records and identifiers. His work falls under the category of searching out new information through travel, a defining characteristic of his life's work.

## FAQs
**Who was Thorfinn Karlsefni?**
Thorfinn Karlsefni was an Icelandic explorer and a member of the human species who lived around the turn of the 11th century. He is historically recognized for his expeditions to search for new lands and information in the North Atlantic region.

**What is the historical timeframe of Thorfinn Karlsefni's life?**
He was born approximately in the year 980 and died around the year 1020. These dates place his life and exploratory activities firmly within the late Viking Age.

**How is Thorfinn Karlsefni identified in modern databases?**
He is cataloged with multiple unique identifiers, including Wikidata ID Q5 (instance of human) and specific codes such as VIAF 19128291 and ISNI 000000007242658393. His name also appears under the alias Þorfinnr Þórðarson in historical records.

**What was Thorfinn Karlsefni's nationality and citizenship?**
He held citizenship in Iceland, a Nordic island country in the North Atlantic Ocean. His identity is tied to the Icelandic people and their historical exploration efforts.

## Why They Matter
Thorfinn Karlsefni matters as a documented figure in the history of human exploration, representing the Norse expansion into the North Atlantic. His life illustrates the era when Icelanders were actively searching out new information through travel, contributing to the geographical knowledge of the time. Without explorers like him, the historical record of early contact between Europe and North America would be significantly less detailed. His existence is preserved through numerous digital identifiers and historical sitelinks, ensuring his legacy remains accessible for future study.

## Notable For
- **Exploration**: Recognized specifically for the occupation of searching out new information by means of travel.
- **Historical Longevity**: Lived for approximately 40 years during a pivotal era of Norse expansion (c. 980–1020).
- **Icelandic Heritage**: A citizen of Iceland, a nation known for its unique volcanic landscape and high quality of life.
- **Digital Preservation**: Maintains a significant presence in knowledge bases with 34 sitelinks and multiple authority control numbers.
- **Alias Recognition**: Also known historically by the name Þorfinnr Þórðarson.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Thorfinn Karlsefni was a human being, a unique extant species of the genus *Homo sapiens*. He was born around the year 980, as indicated by the date +0980-00-00T00:00:00Z. His life concluded approximately in the year 1020 (+1020-00-00T00:00:00Z). He held citizenship in Iceland, a Nordic island country located in the North Atlantic Ocean. His primary identity is that of an explorer, an individual who by means of travel searches out new information. In historical records, he is also referred to by the alias Þorfinnr Þórðarson.

### Exploration and Career
Thorfinn Karlsefni's life was defined by his occupation as an explorer. His work involved traveling to search out new information, a critical activity during the Viking Age. While the specific destinations are not detailed in the provided text, his role is categorized under the occupation code Q11900058. His efforts contributed to the broader understanding of the North Atlantic region. As an explorer, he was part of the human endeavor to expand geographical knowledge through direct travel and observation.

### Historical Documentation and Identifiers
The legacy of Thorfinn Karlsefni is preserved through a wide array of digital and academic identifiers. He is an instance of the class Q5 (human) and is linked to 34 different sitelinks across various knowledge platforms. His presence is confirmed by several authority control numbers:
- **VIAF**: 19128291, 138149106003668490440
- **LCCN**: n2007021915
- **GND**: 1851084
- **ISNI**: 6000000007242658393
- **Wikidata ID**: Q5 (with specific ID /m/04ymn5)
- **Other IDs**: 7028451, thorfinnr_thordarson_1, thorfinn-karlsefni, Torfinn_Karlsevne, istoriya/TORFINN_KARLSEFNI.html, Thorfinn_Karlsefni

These identifiers ensure his data is accessible and linked across different systems, including Wikipedia (title: Thorfinn Karlsefni) and specialized biography databases.

### Connection to Iceland
Thorfinn Karlsefni's story is intrinsically linked to Iceland, the country of his citizenship. Iceland is a sovereign state in the North Atlantic Ocean, known for its volcanic landscape and geothermal activity. The country, which became a republic on June 17, 1944, has a population of approximately 364,260 people (as of 2019). Its capital is Reykjavík, one of Europe's oldest continuously inhabited settlements. As an Icelandic explorer, Karlsefni represents the nation's historical tradition of maritime exploration and discovery. The country's location at latitude 65° and longitude -19° provided the geographical context for his voyages.

### Legacy and Impact
The impact of Thorfinn Karlsefni is seen in the enduring historical record of Norse exploration. His life dates (980–1020) place him in a period of significant activity for Icelandic settlers. The preservation of his name and aliases in modern databases highlights the continued interest in his contributions. His work as an explorer who searched out new information laid groundwork for future geographical understanding. The 34 sitelinks associated with his name demonstrate the breadth of his recognition in the digital age. Through these records, his role in human history remains documented and accessible.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013