Back to Famous People
🚢
🧭 Exploration
Vasco da Gama
First sea route from Europe to India (1498)
Born 1460 🇵🇹 Portugal 1498
🧭 Known For
1
First sea route from Europe to India via Cape of Good Hope (1497–1499)
2
Opened the lucrative spice trade between Europe and Asia directly
3
Second voyage: 15 ships; established Portuguese dominance in Indian Ocean
Established spice trade; changed world commerce
Quick Facts
Category
🧭 Exploration
Country
🇵🇹 Portugal
Born
1460
Key Year
1498
Achievement
First sea route from Europe to India (1498)