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Age of Exploration Timeline

By Paige Endicott
  • 1492 BCE

    Columbus discovers America.

    Columbus discovers America.
    He stumbled upon the Americas. He did not discover “New World” millions of people already lived there but his journeys still marked the beginning of centuries of exploration and colonization of North and South America.
  • 1488 BCE

    Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope.

    Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope.
    Bartolomeu Dias was sent to find the sea route to India where they knew all the valuable spices could be picked up, by passing the Muslim traders. He rounded the southern tip of Africa and wanted to continue on to India, but his crew refused to go so they returned to Europe but now everyone knew there was a way.
  • 1456 BCE

    Portuguese reach Cape Verde

    Portuguese reach Cape Verde
    When the Portuguese discovered Cape Verde there were no people living on the islands. Cape Verde soon became an important stop for ships coming and going from the African coast. In 1462 a permanent settlement had been founded on the islands.
  • 1400 BCE

    Prince Henry sponsors the exploration.

    Prince Henry sponsors the exploration.
    Henry began sponsoring exploration voyages along the coast of Africa using the new caravel ships. He needed money to keep his exploration going. The prince wanted access to West Africa gold.
  • 1341 BCE

    Portuguese begins to expand into the Atlantic with the discovery of Canary Islands.

    Portuguese begins to expand into the Atlantic with the discovery of Canary Islands.
    In 1341 three vessels sailed from Lisbon and explored the Canary Islands, off the northwestern coast of Africa. Although the expedition showed no profit and Castile later gained control of the islands this voyage was the first official exploring expedition by a European state.