Page 46 - All About History - Issue 54-17

Henry the Navigator

Explorers

of Africa
The Portuguese were one
of the most active nations
during the Age of Discovery
Diogo Dias
Voyage: c.1460
Like his brother
Bartolomeu Dias, Diogo
would have a hand in discovering new
lands for Portugal, namely, although
some dispute this, the Cape Verde
Islands. This discovery would get him a
position on Vasco da Gama’s first
expedition and he acted as envoy
between da Gama and the local Indian
Zamorin, or ruler.
Henry the
Navigator
Voyages: Late
15th century
Although he did not explore Africa
himself, Prince Henry’ the Navigator’
sponsored over 40 voyages to uncover
its mysteries and push the boundaries
of the known world. His vessels DD
reached as far as modern day Sierra
Leone, passing the expanse of the
Sahara Desert and the rival Muslim
trade caravans.
Diogo Cão
Voyage: 1482
Following the discoveries
made by Henry the
Navigator’s sponsored voyages, Diogo HN
Cão secured funding for an expedition
of his own. With King John II’s blessing,
Cão would become the first European
to set eyes on the mighty Congo River
and establish trade relations with the
local natives.
Bartolomeu Dias
Voyage: 1487-1488
Blazing a trail for future DC
explorers to follow,
Bartolomeu Dias was the first European
we have on record to round the Cape
of Good Hope and sail from the Atlantic
to the Indian Ocean. Proving the oceans
were connected, his voyage sparked
renewed interest in finding a trade
route to India.
Vasco da Gama
Voyage: 1497-1499
Leading a small fleet of
four ships, Vasco da Gama
became the first European to establish BD
an ocean route between the Orient and
the West. After months of gruelling
travel, he reached the Indian city of
Calicut in May 1498. Da Gama’s efforts
to establish an alliance were a bust, but
when he landed back in Portugal his
ships had travelled over 38,000km and
he received a hero’s welcome.

Bounty from the Slaves Dragon’s blood
African coast The Portuguese trade in slaves had This valuable resin from the
become sufficiently established for
dragon tree proved a useful
Henry to order the building of a fort commodity, prompting many
The African continent was the source of many and warehouse on Arguin Island visits to the Canaries. It was widely
treasures coveted by European traders and citizens by 1448. used in the dyeing industry.
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