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

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

During the Age of Exploration, Portuguese Guianese 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 and established a direct trade route with Asia.

2. Vasco da Gama: In 1498, da Gama successfully reached India by sailing around the Cape of Good Hope. This marked the first direct sea route from Europe to Asia, bypassing the traditional land routes controlled by the Ottoman Empire. Da Gama's voyage established Portugal as a major player in the lucrative spice trade.

3. Pedro Álvares Cabral: In 1500, Cabral accidentally discovered Brazil while en route to India. This led to the Portuguese colonization of Brazil and the establishment of a vast empire in South America.

4. Ferdinand Magellan: Although Magellan was not Portuguese, he sailed under the Portuguese flag during his famous circumnavigation of the globe from 1519 to 1522. This expedition proved that the Earth was round and significantly expanded European knowledge of the world.

Overall, the Portuguese Guianese explorers played a crucial role in expanding European knowledge, establishing new trade routes, and initiating European colonization in various parts of the world.