Timeline

15th century

1. 1488★★★★★

   Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope

   The Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, proving the Indian Ocean could be reached by sea.

   Exploration· South Africa, Portugal
2. July 8, 1497 – May 20, 1498★★★★★

   Vasco da Gama sails from Europe to India

   Vasco da Gama's fleet left Lisbon, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, sailed up the East African coast and reached Calicut, opening a direct sea route between Europe and Asia.

   ExplorationEconomy· Portugal, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, India