Which country initiated the era of Atlantic exploration?
A. Portugal
B. England
C. France
D. Spain
Answer (2)
The country that initiated the era of Atlantic exploration was Portugal, beginning in the early 15th century under leaders like Prince Henry the Navigator. This exploration aimed at finding new trade routes and extending their territorial control, leading to significant advancements in navigation and maritime exploration. Portugal's efforts laid the foundation for future explorations by other European countries.
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The country that initiated the era of Atlantic exploration was (A) Portugal.
Portugal was a pioneer in the Age of Exploration, a period that began in the early 15th century and lasted until the 17th century. This era was characterized by European global exploration, primarily driven by the desire to find new trade routes and expand their territories.
Who: Portuguese explorers and navigators, such as Prince Henry the Navigator, played a crucial role in early Atlantic exploration.
What: Prince Henry the Navigator was instrumental in the development of the caravel, a faster and more maneuverable ship that made long voyages feasible. He also established a school of navigation in Sagres, Portugal, to advance maritime knowledge.
When: The start of the Portuguese explorations began in the early 15th century, around 1418, with efforts to discover new trade routes to Asia via the sea.
Where: Portugal's exploration began with the western coast of Africa and eventually led to the discovery of the Atlantic islands of Madeira, the Azores, and Cape Verde. These efforts eventually opened a sea route to India by navigating around the Cape of Good Hope.
Why: The primary motivations for Portugal's exploration included the desire for new trade routes to access spices, gold, and other resources directly, the spread of Christianity, and the expansion of Portuguese influence and territory.
How: Portuguese exploration was facilitated by advancements in navigation technology, such as the magnetic compass and improved maps, as well as innovations in ship design that enabled longer and more successful voyages.
Portugal's initiative in Atlantic exploration set the stage for subsequent world explorations and had a profound impact on global trade and cultural exchanges.
