Mahmoud ibn-Rabat (c. 1310 - 1372) was a North African explorer who led several unsuccessful expeditions into the Sahara; but is best known for his over-sea voyage Westwards, becoming the first man to sight the Ilhos Gêmeos, among other islands. He also claimed to discover a vast land to the west with bountiful resources and advanced natives - many have proposed that he discovered the Americas (presumably Mesoamerica); but others believe that this discovery never happened, and that ibn-Rabat invented the story as a way of earning fame and fortune.
Following his expeditions, Mahmoud ibn-Rabat wrote about his voyage, and became an Islamic scholar. He died in 1372, presumably of old age.