What were the major discoveries and achievements of Portuguese explorers during this period?

What were the major discoveries and achievements of Portuguese explorers during this period?

During the Age of Exploration, Portuguese explorers made several major discoveries and achievements. Some of these include:

1. Bartolomeu Dias: In 1488, Dias became the first European explorer to sail around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope. This opened up a new sea route to the Indian Ocean.

2. Vasco da Gama: In 1498, da Gama successfully reached India by sailing around Africa. This established a direct sea route from Europe to Asia, bypassing the Ottoman Empire and the Silk Road.

3. Pedro Álvares Cabral: In 1500, Cabral accidentally discovered Brazil while en route to India. This led to the Portuguese colonization of Brazil.

4. Ferdinand Magellan: Although Magellan was a Portuguese explorer sailing under the Spanish flag, his expedition (1519-1522) was funded by the Spanish crown. He led the first circumnavigation of the globe, proving that the Earth was round and significantly expanding European knowledge of the world.

5. Portuguese Trading Empire: The Portuguese established a vast trading empire during this period, with trading posts and colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They controlled key trade routes and monopolized the spice trade, bringing immense wealth to Portugal.

Overall, the Portuguese explorers played a crucial role in expanding European knowledge of the world, establishing new trade routes, and laying the foundation for European colonization in the following centuries.