Which explorer was the first to establish a sea route to Asia? For which European country did he sail?
Question
Which explorer was the first to establish a sea route to Asia? For which European country did he sail?
Solution
The first explorer to establish a sea route to Asia was Vasco da Gama. He sailed for the European country of Portugal.
Here are the steps:
- Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, set out on his journey in July 1497.
- He sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, with four ships.
- His mission was to find a maritime route to the East, specifically Asia, to establish trade relations, as the land route was dominated by the Ottoman Empire.
- He sailed around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, then headed to the east coast of Africa, where he took advantage of the prevailing winds of the Indian Ocean.
- After many months at sea, he reached Calicut (now Kozhikode) in India in May 1498, thus establishing a sea route to Asia.
- This journey marked the beginning of the Portuguese maritime empire in the East, which lasted for several centuries.
Similar Questions
Which explorer found a direct sea route to Asia? Describe the route.
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What was the significance of finding a sea route to Asia?Allowed Europeans to bypass merchants who monopolized tradeAllowed Europeans to interact with new nationsGave Europeans political power in other countriesIntroduced Europeans to new investors to fund explorations
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