What best explains why portuagal got off to an earlier start in exploration than the rest of Europe?

Answer 1

Portugal is the westernmost country in Europe where it is fairly isolated. In one side Portugal has Spain, its rival and with whom had numerous wars and in the other side they had the Atlantic Ocean. So Portugal became a country facing the ocean rather than facing the European land. Having such a huge coastline, its normal that there is a very important connection between the country and the ocean. Thus Portugal is very much well known for its seafare tradition and of course the "Discovery Period". In a gist we can say that the geographical location and the political situation of that era gave Portugal the advantage in becoming one of the most important nation in Europe in that time.