The Explorations

Marco Polo - China and Asia

Jul 15, 1265

Marco Polo - A well-known traveler and explorer, Marco Polo headed for China along the Silk Road in the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). The Travels of Marco Polo, dictated by him, described Chinese politics, economy, and culture in detail, which greatly aroused the desire of westerner to go to China and had a great effect on the European navigation.

The Portuguese discover Cape Verde Islands

Oct 16, 1456

Cape VerdePortuguese explorers discovered and colonized the uninhabited islands in the 15th century, the first European settlement in the tropics. Ideally located for the Atlantic slave trade, the islands grew prosperous and often attracted privateers and pirates, among them Sir Francis Drake in the 1580s. The islands were also visited by Charles Darwin during FitzRoy's Beagle voyage in 1832. The islands were settled as the colony grew in importance on the main shipping lanes from Europe to India.

The Portuguese explored Africa

Nov 2, 1470

Africa - ExplorationsPortuguese explorer Prince Henry, known as the Navigator, was the first European to methodically explore Africa and the oceanic route to the Indies. From his residence in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, he directed successive expeditions to circumnavigate Africa and reach India. In 1420, Henry sent an expedition to secure the uninhabited but strategic island of Madeira. In 1425, he tried to secure the Canary Islands as well, but these were already under firm Castilian control. In 1431,

Bartholomeu Diaz explored South Africa

Oct 22, 1488

Info -In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias (c. 1450-1500) became the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa, opening the way for a sea route from Europe to Asia. Dias’ ships rounded the perilous Cape of Good Hope and then sailed around Africa’s southernmost point, Cabo das Agulhas, to enter the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Columbus Voyage to America

Aug 24, 1492

Information Columbus led his three ships - the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria - out of the Spanish port of Palos on August 3, 1492. His objective was to sail west until he reached Asia (the Indies) where the riches of gold, pearls and spice awaited.

Vasco da Gama - Cape of Good Hope and India

Oct 25, 1498

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer born in 1460. He was the first European to sail to India around Africa. Therefore he linked India and Europe by ocean route for the first time. When he reached Sierra Leone he continued to sail South. He sailed around the Cape of Good Hope when Dias had turned back. His first voyage to India was from 1497-1499, and he landed in Calicut, India in 1498.

Pedro Álvares Cabral - Discovered Brazil

Nov 30, 1500

Pedro was born in 1467 in Portugal. Cabral conducted the first substantial exploration of the northeast coast of South America and claimed it for Portugal. The fleet under the command of the 32–33-year old Cabral departed from Lisbon on 9 March 1500 at noon. They landed on the coast of Brazil on the 22nd April 1500. The next day a supply ship returned to Portugal to apprise the King of the discovery.

Ferdinand Magellan - Sails around the world

Sep 23, 1519

Ferdinand Magellanwas a Portuguese explorer, born in 1480. He led the first expedition to sail around the world. He also discovered a passage from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Today it is called the Straits of Magellan. King Charles V of Spain funded the voyage. Magellan set sail in 1519. Unfortunately, Magellan became involved in an argument between local tribes in the Phillipines and died. Only one of five ships returned to Spain, with 18 survivors.

Francisco Pizarro explored Peru

Jan 23, 1531

Francisco Pizarro was born in 1474 in Spain. He had heard rumors of a land in South America that was full of treasures. He made two initial expeditions into the land but both times he had to turn back. He set sail for a third time and in 1532 Pizarro landed in Peru, on the coast of South America. Pizarro then set a trap for the emperor and held him prisoner. He held him ransom for a room full of gold and silver. The Inca delivered the gold and silver. In 1541 he was killed in Lima in Peru

Tristan de Luna - North America

Jan 27, 1559

Tristan de Lun was born in 1519 in Spain. He was sent on an expedition to conquer Florida in 1559. In August of that year, he established a colony at modern-day Pensacola, one of the earliest European settlements within the present-day United States.