The King of Portugal. Because Portugal was cut off from Europe by larger neighbour Spain, it has always been in the perifery of the European continent, and at the time on the end point of the lucrative trade routes (including spices), so they tried to find a maritime way to the rich countries of Brazil, most of Africa, India, Ceylon, Burma, Malaya, Aceh, Indonesia, Timor, China, Formosa and Japan, bypassing every other European country and becoming fenomenaly rich, setting up an Empire and being culturally and politically independent from Europe until 1986 (save the oldest alliance in the world still in force with the UK). It's last colony, Macau, was handed to China in 1999.
One major accomplishment of the Portuguese explorers was the discovery of a sea route to India by Vasco da Gama in 1498, which helped establish Portugal as a major player in the spice trade and opened up new trade routes.
The ultimate goal of the early Portuguese explorers was to find a sea route to Asia for trade in spices and other valuable goods. They sought to establish trade connections with Asian kingdoms and bypass the overland routes controlled by the Ottomans.
Portuguese explorers established trade routes to India and Asia, discovered Brazil, and were the first Europeans to navigate around the southern tip of Africa. They also played a key role in the Age of Discovery and helped establish Portugal as a major colonial power.
Portuguese explorers in the 1500s were primarily motivated by a desire to find new trade routes to Asia for spices and other valuable goods. They aimed to establish profitable trade connections with the East, leading to the eventual creation of the Portuguese spice trade empire.
There are a number of contributions that were made by Portuguese explorers. Vasco de Gama discovered various trade routes while {Pedro Alvarez is the one who discovered Brazil. There many other Portuguese explorers who made significant discoveries.
The Portuguese explorers began sailing around the coast of Africa
Portuguese explorers focused on establishing trading outposts and establishing trade routes to Asia, while Spanish explorers were more focused on acquiring territory and resources in the New World. The Portuguese were particularly interested in finding a sea route to Asia for the lucrative spice trade.
Portuguese explorers focused on establishing trade routes to Asia, particularly through the Cape of Good Hope and the Indian Ocean, while Spanish explorers concentrated on expanding their empire in the Americas. Portuguese explorers were also known for their early exploration of Africa's western coast, while Spanish explorers famously embarked on expeditions to the New World led by explorers like Christopher Columbus and Hernan Cortes.
The main goal behind the Portuguese voyages of exploration was to find new trade routes to Asia and establish profitable trade networks.
Portuguese explorers focused on finding trade routes to Africa and Asia, while Spanish explorers were more concentrated on colonization and conquest in the Americas. Portuguese exploration was mainly driven by trade and establishing trading posts, while Spanish exploration involved more direct colonization and exploitation of resources. Additionally, the Portuguese were early leaders in exploration, with Bartolomeu Dias rounding the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, while Spanish exploration was more concentrated in the early 16th century.
The Portuguese designed better ships called caravels during the Age of Exploration to face the dangers of sailing the seas. These ships featured a combination of lateen and square sails, allowing for improved maneuverability and speed, which was crucial for navigating uncharted waters. Their innovations enabled Portuguese explorers to venture further along the African coast and eventually across the Atlantic, leading to significant discoveries and maritime trade routes.
Explorers were needed because people needed to see if the land was safe as well as war free. They needed explorers because they needed to find new trade routes to the Far East. And, they wanted to see what wealth was in the Western Hemisphere.