The era of great geographical discoveries

The era of great geographical discoveries continued from the mid-15th to the mid-17th century. The main participation in the expeditions was taken by Spanish and Portuguese navigators.

The main reasons for the great geographical discoveries are the search for new ways of trade and the development of navigation.

At that time, trade relations between East and Europe were destroyed as a result of the expanded Turkish rule. The Turks blocked the main trade route through Syria and Asia Minor. At the same time, at that time, reliable vessels adapted for navigation in the open ocean were built, which helped not only to find new ways, but also to discover and seize lands located to the south of Europe.

Prince Henry was at that time considered the main organizer of Portuguese travel and assisted in the development of the Portuguese fleet. So in his time was organized by the Nautical School. The methods of navigation and instruments were improved in the Geographic Research Institute. The first globe in 1490 was created here.

The era of great geographical discoveries is marked by the discovery of a sea route to India. In 1497 the Portuguese king Manuel the Happy organized an expedition. This was due to the too high cost of goods brought to Europe by land. The Portuguese expedition, consisting of three ships, was led by Vasco da Gama.

Having entered the Atlantic Ocean far enough, he turned eastwards on the parallel of the Needle Point. After this, the ships went north along the eastern African coast to Mozambique. In the city of Mambasa, the Portuguese first came into contact with the Arab population. After this, the Vasco da Gama expedition crossed the Indian Ocean and reached the southern Indian port of Calicut.

The era of great geographical discoveries was marked by Spanish expeditions. After the opening of the New World in the 15th century, Spain begins to show interest in the eastern states. However, the Spanish king, assessing the situation, sees that the way to the African shores is closed by the Portuguese fleet, and the caravan route to the East is under the control of Arab and Turkish merchants. Christopher Columbus suggests the King of Spain to pave the western path to India. Being an excellent cartographer and sharing the opinion of many of his contemporaries that the Earth is a spherical shape, he makes up the design of the way to the west across the Atlantic Ocean.

Thus, the era of geographical discoveries was marked by the discoveries of Columbus. The lands he found were inhabited by settlers. Spanish colonies arose on the coast and the islands of Central America.

Amerigo Vespucci made his contribution to the historical period under the title "The Age of Great Geographical Discoveries." After undertaking several expeditions on trade matters between 1499 and 1502, the navigator called the "Asia" discovered by Columbus "an unknown previously vast land" New World ". Later this territory was called America. In turn, Amerigo Vespucci described the population and the nature of open lands.

A very significant event in the history of discoveries is the round-the-world trip of Fernand Magellan. Turning to the service of the Spanish king, the navigator offered him to bypass America from the South and thus reach the coasts of Asia.

His round-the-world expedition began in 1519. Five ships crossed the Atlantic Ocean and along the southern coast of America headed for the strait in the Pacific Ocean ("South Sea"). The strait, later called Magellan, was discovered after a long search and serious losses.

After Magellan approached the Indonesian islands, he concluded (as recorded in the logbook) that he returned to the Old World, circumventing the Earth around.