The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1450-c. 1486
Portuguese navigator and explorer who was the first European to reach the Congo River. In his quest to discover a sea route around Africa to India, King João of Portugal commissioned Diogo Cão to explore the region. Cão left Portugal in 1482 and sailed along the West Coast of Africa until he reached the mouth of the Congo. There he erected a stone pillar dedicated to Portuguese sovereignty of the area. He sailed further, to Cape Santa Maria along what is now the coast of Angola, and erected a second pillar. Upon his return to Lisbon in 1484, King John II honored him with a title of nobility in honor of his discoveries. Cão made his second voyage in around 1485, reaching Cape Cross in what is present-day Namibia.