Age of exploration.
Definition
The period from the late 1400s to the 1600s when European nations sent explorers across the oceans to find new trade routes, claim territories, and spread Christianity. It was driven by advances in navigation technology, the desire for wealth, and competition among European powers.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 Columbus sailing west and reaching the Americas in 1492
- 2 Vasco da Gama reaching India by sailing around Africa in 1498
- 3 Magellan's crew completing the first circumnavigation of the globe
Key Fact
The Age of Exploration is generally dated from 1415 (Portuguese capture of Ceuta) to the early 1600s.