See also: 1599 in science, other events of 1600, 1601 in science, and the list of years in science.
Exploration December 31 - British East India Company is founded. Tadoussac, France's first trading post on the mainland of New France (now Canada), is established Geology William Gilbert publishes De Magnete which describes the Earth's magnetic field and is the beginning of modern geomagnetism. Mathematics Ludolph van Ceulen computed the first 35 decimals of &pi at about this time. Physics William Gilbert coins the word electricity. Technology Simon Stevin invents a carriage propelled by sails. Births John Ogilby, cartographer Deaths