Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer born around 1460 who led the first European expedition to reach India by sea in 1498. His expedition of 150 men was commissioned by King Manuel I of Portugal to find an ocean route to Asia, as the traditional land routes were blocked by the Ottoman Empire. Da Gama sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and along the east coast of Africa before landing in Calicut and Goa, India. Only 70 of the original 150 crew members survived the difficult voyage, which faced hardships like scurvy outbreaks and storms. Da Gama established trade relations between Portugal and India, finding the first all-water route that connected Europe and Asia by sea.

1. Vasco da GamaBy: Rick Martell and Rebecca Randle

2. Background Information-Born in about 1460 in Sines, Portugal-Died in 1524-His nationality was Portuguese-He probably attended school in the town of Évora-he became a naval officer in 1492

3. Purpose of Expedition-to find a sea route to Asia-the land routes were blocked by the Ottoman Turks in 1453-the land routes were also blocked by wars along the way

4. Route of Expedition-Crew size was 150 men-At the end of the voyage only 70 men were left-In 1498 sailed down south around South Africa and up north-east to Asia -Landed in Calicut and Goa, India in May, 1498 -He returned to Portugal in August 1498

5. Hardships FacedScurvy broke out 2 times on his voyage once on the way there and once on the way back because of lack of fruit and vegetablesThe ships were separated off West Africa in a storm and reached Portugal at different times. Da Gama stopped in the Azores and finaly reached Libson on Sept 9, 1499 When the ruler in Mozambique came aboard he was expected to be honoured with valuable gifts, but all they could offer him was trinkets and clothing, so they will not let da Gama and his men come ashore to get water. Then da Gama lost his temper and fired at the ArabsOther Notable OccurrencesVasco da Gama became a captain himself at the age of 20 He got the chance to go to sea at the age of 15 He killed many innocent Indians His flag was the Sao Gabriel The two other ships in the fleet were the Sao Rafael and the Berrio The forth larger vessel, the Sao Maria, was the store ship The Sao Maria was destroyed The Sao Rafael was beached on the coast of Africa, the the ship was set afire Only the Barrio and the Sao Gabriel made it home to Portugal

6. Historical ContributionsFound the first all water sea route Asia (India) Second person to round the Cape of Good Hope He was the first person to trade with Africa.

7. QUIZTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8. What was the Crew size of Vasco da Gama’s men?20015017090Question

9. Answer BOO!b) 150 men! a), c),d), are wrong YAY!!!!!!!

10. Bibliography-Bartolomeau Diaz and Vasco da Gama-Vasco da Gama, adventures in discovery-www.worldbookonline.com-Clip Art-www.englishare.net/…/Vasco_da_Gama_map.gif

11. -The World Book Encyclopedia