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Vasco da Gama
Historical Figure

Vasco da Gama

Portuguese explorer (c. 1460s – 1524)

About Vasco da Gama

Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese mariner, explorer and nobleman. His discovery of the first direct maritime route between Europe and India via the Cape of Good Hope and across the Indian Ocean from Malindi in Kenya to Kozhikode was to open up European exploration of, and commerce with, India, and is considered a landmark event and a turning point in world history.Wikipedia ↗

Associated Events

Explorationc. 1400 CE – 1600 CE

Age of Exploration

European maritime nations launched expeditions that mapped the globe, connected continents, and transformed world trade, culture, and power dynamics between 1400–1600.

Colonialism1415 CE – 1999 CE

Portuguese Empire

The first global maritime empire, Portugal established trade posts and colonies spanning four continents for nearly 600 years, beginning with the capture of Ceuta in North Africa (1415) and ending with the handover of Macau (1999).

Exploration1497 CE – 1499 CE

Vasco da Gama's Voyage to India

Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sea, opening a direct trade route and beginning Portuguese domination of the Indian Ocean.

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