What is the country of origin of the navigator Vasco da Gama?

Vasco de Gama, one of the most famous navigators of the Age of Discovery, was born in Portugal. Born around 1469 in Sines, a small coastal town in Portugal’s Alentejo region, Vasco de Gama became an emblematic figure in maritime history for his exploits and significant contributions to Portuguese maritime expansion.

At the end of the 15th century, Portugal was at the forefront of maritime exploration. During the reign of King Manuel I, Portugal sought new trade routes to access Asia’s rich spices and other precious goods. The traditional land route to India was long, costly and dangerous, dominated by Muslim powers. Finding a direct sea route to India was therefore a strategic priority for the Portuguese.

In 1497, Vasco de Gama was chosen by King Manuel I to lead an expedition to find a sea route to India. On July 8, 1497, de Gama left the port of Lisbon with a fleet of four ships. After rounding the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, he continued his voyage along the east coast of Africa before crossing the Indian Ocean.

On May 20, 1498, after some ten months at sea, Vasco da Gama and his crew finally reached the coast of India, landing at Calicut (now Kozhikode). This feat marked the first direct sea link between Europe and India, ushering in a new era of international trade and European domination of the Indian Ocean.

Vasco da Gama’s success had far-reaching repercussions. The sea route to India he established enabled Portugal to monopolize the spice trade and become a dominant trading power in the 16th century. The Portuguese established trading posts along the African and Indian coasts, strengthening their colonial empire.

Vasco de Gama made two further voyages to India. In 1502, he returned to India with an armed fleet to reinforce the Portuguese presence and establish trading bases. In 1524, he was appointed Viceroy of the Portuguese Indies, but died shortly after arriving in Cochin.

Vasco de Gama is widely commemorated for his exploits. Many monuments, streets and institutions around the world bear his name. His voyage is considered one of the key moments in the history of maritime exploration.

Vasco de Gama, a native of Portugal, is famous for being the first European to reach India by sea in 1498. His feat opened up a new maritime trade route and played a crucial role in the era of the Great Discoveries, propelling Portugal to the forefront of international trade and colonization.