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Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal begins the exploration of the west coast of Africa, seeking new trade routes and establishing fortified trading posts. -
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Christopher Columbus Lands in the Caribbean
Columbus, sponsored by Spain, reaches the islands of the Caribbean, mistakenly thinking he has found a route to Asia. -
John Cabot's Exploration of North America
Sponsored by England, John Cabot sails to North America, claiming land for the English crown. -
Vasco da Gama sails around the southern tip of Africa (Cape of Good Hope) and reaches India, establishing a sea route to Asia. -
Cabral accidentally lands on the coast of Brazil while on a voyage to India, claiming it for Portugal. -
The Portuguese establish a major trading base in Goa, India, marking a significant expansion of their influence in Asia. -
Ferdinand Magellan, leading a Spanish expedition, becomes the first to sail around the world (though he dies during the voyage). -
Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés overthrows the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico. -
Pizarro leads the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in South America. -
Jacques Cartier Discovers Canada
Jacques Cartier explores the Gulf of St. Lawrence and claims parts of Canada for France. -
Drake becomes the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, claiming new territories and plundering Spanish ships along the way. -
The English navy defeats the Spanish Armada, establishing England as a major naval power. -
France begins colonizing islands in the Caribbean, such as Haiti, producing sugar and other valuable commodities. -
The English establish the first permanent settlement in the Americas at Jamestown, Virginia. -
Samuel de Champlain establishes the settlement of Quebec, marking the beginning of French colonization in North America. -
French explorers, led by Marquette and Joliet, explore the Mississippi River, laying the groundwork for French expansion in the interior of North America.