The Portuguese Empire: A Maritime Influence

Vasco da Gama was the first European explorer to reach India by sea, arriving in Calicut in 1498.

The Portuguese were motivated by the desire to find a direct sea route to Asia, in order to access the lucrative spice trade.

Goa was the capital of Portuguese India and served as the center of their spice trade operations.

The Treaty of Cochin granted the Portuguese exclusive trading rights in Calicut and allowed them to build a fort there.

Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to circumnavigate the globe, completing the journey in 1522.

Fort Nossa Senhora da Conceição was a Portuguese fort built in Hormuz to protect their trading interests in the Persian Gulf.

Pedro Álvares Cabral was the Portuguese explorer who discovered Brazil in 1500.

Estado do Brasil was the name of the Portuguese colony in Brazil.

Bartolomeu Dias was the Portuguese explorer who discovered the Cape of Good Hope in 1488.

Fort São João Baptista was a Portuguese fort built in Malacca to protect their trading interests in the Strait of Malacca.

Francisco Serrão was the Portuguese explorer who discovered the Moluccas in 1512.

Fortaleza do Monte was a Portuguese fort built in Macau to protect their trading interests in China.

Fernão Mendes Pinto was the Portuguese explorer who discovered Japan in 1542.

Fort Jesus was a Portuguese fort built in Mombasa to protect their trading interests in East Africa.

Willem Janszoon was a Dutch explorer who discovered Australia in 1606, while sailing for the Dutch East India Company.