Upptäcktens ålder

U+60;h1 class=U+34;ql-align-centerU+34;U+62;U+60;strong style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 48px;U+34; class=U+34;ql-font-MerriweatherU+34;U+62;Age of DiscoveryU+60;/strongU+62;U+60;/h1U+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;The&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;strong style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Age of DiscoveryU+60;/strongU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, or the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;strong style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Age of ExplorationU+60;/strongU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;(sometimes also, particularly regionally,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;strong style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Age of ContactU+60;/strongU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;or&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;strong style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Contact PeriodU+60;/strongU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;), is an informal and loosely defined term for the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_modern_periodU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;early modern periodU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;approximately from the beginning of the 15th century until the middle of the 17th century in&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_historyU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;European historyU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, in which sea-faring European nations explored regions across the globe.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

A Caravel with two lateen sail rigs and a headsail. Caravels were invented by the Portuguese, they had more manoeuvrability and were essential to the Age of Discovery.

Overview

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;The Portuguese began systematically exploring the Atlantic coast of Africa in 1418, under the sponsorship of Infante Dom Henrique (U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_the_NavigatorU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;Prince HenryU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;). Under the direction of&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_the_NavigatorU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;Henry the NavigatorU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, the Portuguese developed a new, much lighter ship, the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CaravelU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;caravelU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, which could sail farther and faster,&nbsp;and, above all, was highly maneuverable and could sail much nearer the wind, or&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;into the windU+60;/emU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;. In 1488,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolomeu_DiasU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;Bartolomeu DiasU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;reached the Indian Ocean by this route.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;U+60;pU+62;U+60;span class=U+34;ql-font-RobotoU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;In 1498, a Portuguese expedition commanded by&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasco_da_GamaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;Vasco da GamaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;reached India by sailing around Africa, opening up direct trade with Asia. While other exploratory fleets were sent from Portugal to northern North America, in the following years&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_India_ArmadasU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;Portuguese India ArmadasU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;also extended this Eastern oceanic route, touching sometimes South America and by this way opening a circuit from the New World to Asia.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;Spanish&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ConquistadorU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;conquistadorsU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;explored the interior of the Americas, and later, some of the South Pacific islands.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;Since 1495, the French, the English and the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_RepublicU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;DutchU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;entered the race of exploration after learning of these exploits, defying the Iberian monopoly on maritime trade by searching for new routes, first to the western coasts of North and South America, through the first English and French expeditions (starting with the first expedition of&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_CabotU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;John CabotU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;in 1497 to the north, in the service of England, followed by the French expeditions to South America and later to North America), and into the Pacific Ocean around South America, but eventually by following the Portuguese around Africa into the Indian Ocean; discovering Australia in 1606, New Zealand in 1642, and Hawaii in 1778. Meanwhile, from the 1580s to the 1640s, Russians explored and conquered almost the whole of&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_conquest_of_SiberiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;SiberiaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, and Alaska in the 1730s.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;emU+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Xavier_Romero-FriasU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;Xavier Romero-FriasU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;emU+62; (Lisence: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;CC BY-SA 3.0U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;emU+62;)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;emU+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:UniversalisU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;UniversalisU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;emU+62; (Lisence: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;CC BY-SA 4.0U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;emU+62;)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

The Silk Road and spice trade routes later blocked by the Ottoman Empire in 1453 spurring exploration to find alternative sea routes

1241–1438

Medieval travel

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;A prelude to the Age of Discovery was a series of European expeditions crossing&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EurasiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;EurasiaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;by land in the late Middle Ages.&nbsp;Although the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MongolsU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;MongolsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;had threatened Europe with pillage and destruction,&nbsp;Mongol states also unified much of Eurasia and, from 1206 on, the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pax_MongolicaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; background-color: initial; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;Pax MongolicaU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;allowed safe trade routes and communication lines stretching from the Middle East to China.&nbsp;A series of Europeans took advantage of these to explore eastwards. Most were Italians, as trade between Europe and the Middle East was controlled mainly by the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_republicsU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Maritime republicsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;.&nbsp;The close&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_city-statesU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;ItalianU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;links to the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LevantU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;LevantU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;raised great curiosity and commercial interest in countries which lay further east.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;emU+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:SpletteU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;SpletteU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;emU+62; (Public Domain)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+34;Mao Kun mapU+34;, believed to be based on Zheng HeU+39;s travels, showing sailing directions between ports of SE Asia and as far as Malindi, in Wu Bei Zhi (1628)

1405–1433

Chinese missions

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;The Chinese had wide connections through trade in Asia and had been sailing to&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArabiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;ArabiaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_AfricaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;East AfricaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EgyptU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;EgyptU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;since the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_DynastyU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Tang DynastyU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;(AD 618–907). Between 1405 and 1421 the third Ming emperor&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yongle_EmperorU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;YongleU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;sponsored a series of long range&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TributeU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;tributary missionsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;in the Indian Ocean under the command of admiral&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zheng_HeU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Zheng HeU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;(Cheng Ho).U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;U+60;pU+62;U+60;span class=U+34;ql-font-RobotoU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;A large fleet of new&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk_(ship)U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;junkU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;ships was prepared for these international diplomatic expeditions. The largest of these junks—that the Chinese termed&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_treasure_shipU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;bao chuanU+60;/emU+62;&nbsp;(treasure ships)U+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;—may have measured 121 metres (400&nbsp;feet) stem to stern, and thousands of sailors were involved. The first expedition departed in 1405. At least seven well-documented expeditions were launched, each bigger and more expensive than the last. The fleets visited&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ArabiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;ArabiaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_AfricaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;East AfricaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IndiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;IndiaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_ArchipelagoU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Malay ArchipelagoU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ThailandU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;ThailandU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;(at the time called&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SiamU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;SiamU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;), exchanging goods along the way.&nbsp;They presented gifts of gold, silver,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PorcelainU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;porcelainU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SilkU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;silkU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;; in return, received such novelties as&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OstrichU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;ostrichesU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZebraU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;zebrasU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CamelU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;camelsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IvoryU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;ivoryU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GiraffeU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;giraffesU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;.&nbsp;After the emperorU+39;s death, Zheng He led a final expedition departing from Nanking in 1431 and returning to Beijing in 1433. It is very likely that this last expedition reached as far as&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MadagascarU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;MadagascarU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;. The travels were reported by&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma_HuanU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Ma HuanU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, a Muslim voyager and translator who accompanied Zheng He on three of the seven expeditions, his account published as the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yingya_ShenglanU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;Yingya ShenglanU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;(Overall Survey of the OceanU+39;s Shores) (1433).U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

Genoese (red) and Venetian (green) maritime trade routes in the Mediterranean and Black Sea

1419–1507

Atlantic Ocean

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;From the 8th century until the 15th century, the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_VeniceU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;Republic of VeniceU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and neighbouring&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maritime_republicsU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;maritime republicsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;held the monopoly of European trade with the Middle East. The&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_RoadU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;silkU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_tradeU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;spice tradeU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, involving&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpiceU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;spicesU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IncenseU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;incenseU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HerbU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;herbsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DrugU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;drugsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpiumU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;opiumU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, made these Mediterranean city-states phenomenally rich. Spices were among the most expensive and demanded products of the Middle Ages, as they were used in&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_medicineU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;medieval medicineU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;religious&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RitualU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;ritualsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CosmeticsU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;cosmeticsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PerfumeU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;perfumeryU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, as well as&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_additiveU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;food additivesU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_preservativesU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;preservativesU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;.&nbsp;They were all imported from Asia and Africa.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;emU+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:NikaterU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;NikaterU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;emU+62; (Public Domain)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;h3U+62;U+60;strongU+62;Portuguese explorationU+60;/strongU+62;U+60;/h3U+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;In 1460&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_de_SintraU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;Pedro de SintraU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;reached Sierra Leone. Prince Henry died in November that year after which, given the meagre revenues, exploration was granted to Lisbon merchant&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fern%C3%A3o_GomesU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;Fernão GomesU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;in 1469, who in exchange for the monopoly of trade in the Gulf of Guinea had to explore 100 miles (161 kilometres) each year for five years.&nbsp;With his sponsorship, explorers&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo%C3%A3o_de_Santar%C3%A9mU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;João de SantarémU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_EscobarU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;Pedro EscobarU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, Lopo Gonçalves,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fern%C3%A3o_do_P%C3%B3U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;Fernão do PóU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, and Pedro de Sintra made it even beyond those goals. They reached the Southern Hemisphere and the islands of the Gulf of Guinea, including&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A3o_Tom%C3%A9_and_Pr%C3%ADncipeU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;São Tomé and PríncipeU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ElminaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;ElminaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;on the Gold Coast in 1471. (In the Southern Hemisphere, they used the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_CrossU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;Southern CrossU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;as the reference for celestial navigation.) There, in what came to be called the U+34;Gold CoastU+34; in what is today&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GhanaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;GhanaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;, a thriving alluvial gold trade was found among the natives and Arab and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BerbersU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;BerberU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); font-size: 16px;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;traders.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;em class=U+34;ql-font-RobotoU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:UxbonaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 12px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;UxbonaU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62; (Lisence: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 12px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); background-color: initial;U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;CC BY-SA 3.0U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;h3U+62;U+60;strongU+62;Spanish exploration: Columbus and the rediscovery of the AmericasU+60;/strongU+62;U+60;/h3U+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;PortugalU+39;s neighbouring fellow Iberian rival,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_of_CastileU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;CastileU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, had begun to establish its rule over the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canary_IslandsU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Canary IslandsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, located off the west African coast, in 1402, but then became distracted by internal Iberian politics and the repelling of Islamic invasion attempts and raids through most of the 15th century. Only late in the century, following the unification of the crowns of Castile and Aragon did an emerging modern Spain become fully committed to the search for new trade routes overseas. The&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_of_AragonU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Crown of AragonU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;had been an important maritime potentate in the Mediterranean, controlling territories in eastern Spain, southwestern France, major islands like&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SicilyU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;SicilyU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;,&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MaltaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;MaltaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, and the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_NaplesU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Kingdom of NaplesU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SardiniaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;SardiniaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, with mainland possessions as far as Greece. In 1492 the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_MonarchsU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;joint rulersU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;conquered the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate_of_GranadaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Moorish kingdom of GranadaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, which had been providing Castile with African goods through tribute, and decided to fund&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_ColumbusU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Christopher ColumbusU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;U+39;s expedition in the hope of bypassing PortugalU+39;s monopoly on west African sea routes, to reach U+34;the IndiesU+34; (east and south Asia) by travelling west.&nbsp;Twice before, in 1485 and 1488, Columbus had presented the project to king&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_II_of_PortugalU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;John II of PortugalU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, who rejected it.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;em class=U+34;ql-font-RobotoU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:PhirosiberiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;PhirosiberiaU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62; (Lisence: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 12px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;CC BY-SA 3.0U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

Vasco da GamaU+39;s 1497–1499 travel to India (black). Previous travels of Pêro da Covilhã (orange) and Afonso de Paiva (blue), and their common route (green)

1497–1513

Indian Ocean

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Protected from direct Spanish competition by the treaty of Tordesillas, Portuguese eastward exploration and colonization continued apace. Twice, in 1485 and 1488, Portugal officially rejected&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_ColumbusU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Christopher ColumbusU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;U+39;s idea of reaching India by sailing westwards. King&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_II_of_PortugalU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;John II of PortugalU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;U+39;s experts rejected it, for they held the opinion that ColumbusU+39;s estimation of a travel distance of 2,400 miles (3,860&nbsp;km) was undervalued,&nbsp;and in part because&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bartolomeu_DiasU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Bartolomeu DiasU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;departed in 1487 trying the rounding of the southern tip of Africa, therefore they believed that sailing east would require a far shorter journey. DiasU+39;s return from the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_of_Good_HopeU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Cape of Good HopeU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;in 1488, and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%AAro_da_Covilh%C3%A3U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Pêro da CovilhãU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;U+39;s travel to&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EthiopiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;EthiopiaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;overland indicated that the richness of the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_OceanU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Indian SeaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;was accessible from the Atlantic. A long-overdue expedition was prepared.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;em class=U+34;ql-font-RobotoU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Nuno_TavaresU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;Nuno TavaresU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62; (Lisence: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 12px; background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173);U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;CC BY-SA 3.0U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

Siberian river routes were of primary significance in the process of exploration.

1581–1660

Russian exploration of Siberia

U+60;pU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;In the mid-16th century the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsardom_of_RussiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Tsardom of RussiaU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;conquered the Tatar khanates of&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khanate_of_KazanU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;KazanU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astrakhan_KhanateU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;AstrakhanU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, thus annexing the entire&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_RegionU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Volga RegionU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;and opening the way to the&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ural_MountainsU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Ural MountainsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;. The colonization of the new easternmost lands of Russia and further onslaught eastward was led by the rich merchants&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StroganovU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;StroganovsU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;. Tsar&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivan_IVU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Ivan IVU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;granted vast estates near the Urals as well as tax privileges to&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anikey_StroganovU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;Anikey StroganovU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;, who organized large scale migration to these lands. Stroganovs developed farming, hunting, saltworks, fishing, and ore mining on the Urals and established trade with&nbsp;U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SiberiaU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;SiberianU+60;/aU+62;U+60;span style=U+34;font-size: 16px; color: rgb(32, 33, 34); line-height: 1.5;U+34;U+62;&nbsp;tribes.U+60;/spanU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

U+60;pU+62;U+60;em class=U+34;ql-font-RobotoU+34; style=U+34;line-height: 1.5; font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;Image credits: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KmusserU+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: rgb(248, 249, 250); color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;KmusserU+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62; (Lisence: U+60;/emU+62;U+60;a href=U+34;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0U+34; rel=U+34;noopener noreferrerU+34; target=U+34;_blankU+34; style=U+34;background-color: initial; color: rgb(6, 69, 173); font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;U+60;emU+62;CC BY-SA 3.0U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/aU+62;U+60;em style=U+34;font-size: 12px;U+34;U+62;)U+60;/emU+62;U+60;/pU+62;

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