United States Exploring Expedition

The United States Exploring Expedition, also U.S. Ex.Ex., Ex Ex or called Wilkes Expedition, was an American expedition to the Pacific, which served as a reconnaissance and mapping drive. It was conducted by the United States Navy from 1838 to 1842 under the command of Charles Wilkes. They contributed significantly to that science became popular in the United States.

The expedition consisted of nine scientists and in the course of the expedition were 280 islands, of which the most explored and mapped in the Pacific Ocean, just 800 miles of the coast of the then territory called Oregon Country (now Oregon, Washington and British Columbia). The scientists collected more than 60,000 plant and bird skins. Most of the specimens collected are now in the Smithsonian Institution.