Prince Henry the Navigator
The Portuguese were the first Europeans to become involved in the voyages of exploration. Following the lead of their king, Prince Henry the Navigator, they set sail down the west coast of Africa in search of the sea route to the Spice Islands of the East Indies. Henry had established a school for navigators that produced some of the most skillful navigators of the time. In 1488, Bartholomew Diaz reached the tip of south Africa, and Vasco da Gama rounded the southern tip of Africa and sailed east to reach India.
King Manuel I of Portugal was impressed by the goods brought from India by Vasco da Gama and sent an expedition, in 1500, under the leadership of Pedro Cabral to set up trading posts in India. Following what he thought was da Gama's path, Cabral headed for India. The fleet was blown off course, however, and Cabral sighted Brazil and claimed it for the Portuguese crown. After spending a few days on the east coast of South America, Cabral and his crew continued on to India, arriving in 1501. From that point on, ships were sent from Lisbon each March headed for India and the Spice Islands. The harbor of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, became the entry point for goods from the east.
King Manuel I of Portugal was impressed by the goods brought from India by Vasco da Gama and sent an expedition, in 1500, under the leadership of Pedro Cabral to set up trading posts in India. Following what he thought was da Gama's path, Cabral headed for India. The fleet was blown off course, however, and Cabral sighted Brazil and claimed it for the Portuguese crown. After spending a few days on the east coast of South America, Cabral and his crew continued on to India, arriving in 1501. From that point on, ships were sent from Lisbon each March headed for India and the Spice Islands. The harbor of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, became the entry point for goods from the east.