Portugal Launches Age of Discovery
Overview
Over a period of about 150 years, the tiny nation of Portugal founded Brazil, discovered the sea route around Africa to India, and established colonies and trading posts in Tangiers, Angola, the Congo, the Gulf of Ormuz, India, the Spice Islands, and China. For most of that time, Portugal dominated trade between Asia and Western Europe, undercutting the economies of flourishing trading cities, including Naples and Genoa. Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) set up a prototypical research center in Sagres where maps were systematically charted and both sailing vessels and techniques that made exploration possible were invented. With these tools, Portugal was able to secure luxury goods from the East, to spread Christianity, and to increase its wealth, influence, and power. When the power shifted, it went to other European countries that followed Portugal's successful lead. Holland, England, France, and Spain joined in a scramble to discover, explore and claim new lands that lasted all the way to Captain James Cook's (1728-1779) final voyage.
Background
Portugal's geography, politics, and personality came together to encourage it to become a nautical power. The country faces outward to the Atlantic, with 1,118 miles (1,800 km) of coastline.
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