Bartholomeu Dias

Amerigo Vespucci: Took part in early voyages to the new world on behalf of Spain around the late 15th century.

Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian explorer, a navigator and a cosmographer from the Renaissance period (1451-1512). He is remembered for several important reasons, especially for promoting a scientific approach to access the world. On his first expedition, Vespucci explored the Amazon river, which in present-day covers the region of Brazil in South America. Also, as opposed to the early methods used by navigators, who estimated their position based on their previous location and the distance traveled, Vespucci took accurate navigational measurements and referred to the position of the stars and the moon to determine the longitude. Also, by accurately calculating the length of the equator, he helped determine the size of the earth. However, he made his most important scientific contribution, using his astronomical observations, when he identified that the lands discovered by Columbus were not part of Asia as thought by many Europeans at the time, but were a completely separate continent. To honor Vespucci’s great discovery, the continents of the western hemisphere were eventually named after his first name and was thus called America.

During the age of exploration and colonization, Portuguese mariners first found success in establishing trade along the African coast. They set up trading posts on offshore island using a new ship design, planting a variety of crops and trading commodities with people along the coast. Additionally, Vasco da Gama travelled around the tip of Africa to trade with East Africa and India. While their most of their goods were seen as inferior, da Gama returned with fighting vessels and established trading posts in the Indian Ocean by using force.

Christopher Columbus- A merchant 's clerk from the Italian city of Genoa, a part-time fabric weaver inherited from parents, and expert sailor who discovered the Americas.

Giovanni Da Verrazano was the first European that traveled across the ocean in 1524 (Tamara Orr). He was looking for an unknown area between Florida and Newfoundland. He ended up in what people know today as New Jersey. He anchored off in Sandy Hook. “The colonial history of New Jersey started after Henry Hudson sailed through Newark Bay in 1609” (A Short History of New Jersey).

One of the most famous explorers, Christopher Columbus, had the most impact on the Americas and explorations.

Marco Polo went on a 20 year voyage to what he thought was Asia and returned with stories of the mysterious land that further pushed Europeans to find a new trade route. Before the 15th century sub Saharan Africa was unknown to Europe. However; due to new and improved ships the journey became more plausible. Portuguese quickly set up trading posts for gold and enslaved African. Slave trading soon became big business. And finally Portuguese sailor Vasco de Gama made it to India around the tip of Africa in 1498. Meanwhile the unification in Spain inspired them to also look for a

Henry Hudson one of the greatest explorers of his time he tried finding routes from Europe to Asia. Although he never did he ended up finding routes to Europe nor Asia. He found more routes to North America. He is responsible for funding New York and Canada.

Christopher Columbus he was the first to open the New World to Europe. Many believe that the Portuguese people explored America and discovered it.

One famous explorer was Ferdinand Magellan. He was one of many explorers that dreamed of spices. When Magellan was 37, he came up with the idea that he could go west to get to the Spice Islands. Charles V made an agreement with him. He gave Magellan 5 vessels

During the years that Pedro Alvares Cabral was helping and working with the court, new expeditions occurred that opened up ocean routes between Europe and Asia. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias had discovered the Cape of Good Hope and in 1498, Vasco da Gama had reached India. In September of 1498, Vasco da Gama returned to Portugal. Meanwhile, King John II wanted to take advantage of

In conclusion, Vasco da Gama was a successful man who discovered a way to sail around Africa to India. From going to India then back to Portugal so many times proved that he was a good leader and was brave. Overall, his achievements were

Vasco da Gama was a portuguese explorer who took three trips to India. On his first trip, in 1497, he was commissioned by King Manuel I to find a trade route to India and was successful. On his second trip, in 1502, he was commissioned by King Manuel I to establish a trading post in India and again was successful. On his third trip, in 1524, he was commissioned by King John III to combat the growing corruption that at that time tainted the Portuguese government in India. In 1524 he died in Cochin of sickness. He was brought back to be buried in Portugal.

During the 15th century Italy was one of the most advanced countries in trade, sailing, and exploring; that had an enormous impact on investigation of the New World. Due to the geographic position and well-developed trade Italian city-states controlled routs between Europe and Middle East during the 15th century. These factors gave them authority and wealth, which led to the start of American colonization (Carlisle 1). First person who sailed to the Americas was Italian Christopher Columbus, who was inspired by another great Italian explorer, Marco Polo. With hope that he landed in the India crossing the Atlantic Ocean, Columbus was the first European man coming to a New world. Even though he had never reached the North America, discovering

Vasco Da Gama was known as a fearless sailor. He set sail in 1488 and went around the southern tip of Africa up to India. Da Gama was mainly in search of Christians and spices. Vasco Da Gama was an ambassador and he was called “Captain- Major.”