He made between 21 and 29 trips across the Atlantic Ocean, and founded Quebec, and New France, on 3 July 1608. An important figure in Canadian history, Champlain created the first accurate coastal map during his explorations, and founded various colonial settlements. He served as Governor of New France.
Champlain died in Quebec in 1635. He is memorialized as the "Father of New France", "Father of Acadia", or in French "Père de la Nouvelle-France" with many places, streets, and structures in northeastern North America bearing his name, most notably Lake Champlain.