The document summarizes key European explorers from the Age of Exploration and their accomplishments. Factors like the search for spices and profits, spreading Christianity, and new technologies like the compass encouraged exploration. Explorers mentioned include Bartholomeu Dias, who was the first to reach the southern tip of Africa; Vasco da Gama, who established the first direct sea route from Europe to India; Christopher Columbus, who convinced Spain to fund his voyage to reach Asia by sailing west; Amerigo Vespucci, who realized the Americas were a new continent; and Ferdinand Magellan, whose expedition was the first to sail around the world.

1. Explorers Discovered
New Lands
Age of Exploration

2. Many Factors
Encouraged
Exploration
The search for spices and profits
The desire to spread Christianity
The ability to use new technology
compass, caravel, astrolabe

3. Bartholomeu Dias
1488
Portuguese
First European to reach the
southernmost tip of Africa
Named the spot Cape of
Storms, renamed Cape of
Good Hope by King John
II

4. Vasco da Gama
1498
Portuguese
First European to round
the tip of Africa
Gave Portugal a direct sea
route to India

5. Christopher Columbus
1492
Italian, sailed for Spain
Convinced Queen Isabella
that he could reach the
Indies by sailing west across
the Atlantic Ocean
Thought he had landed in
the Indies, so called the
native peoples Indians

6. Amerigo Vespucci
1499 and 1501
Italian
Realized the Americas were
a separate continent from
Asia
Mapmaker named America
in honor of Vespucci

7. Ferdinand Magellan
1519
Portuguese, sailing for
Spain
Led the expedition that was
the first to sail around the
world
Magellan was killed on the
Philippine Islands before
the voyage was finished