What prevented the Europeans from exploring early?

Answer 1

Several factors prevented Europeans from exploring earlier, including the limitations of maritime technology, which made long-distance sea travel dangerous and difficult. Additionally, the political fragmentation of Europe and the dominance of land-based empires meant that resources and attention were often focused inland rather than on exploration. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge about the existence of other continents and the prevailing belief in a geocentric universe limited motivation for exploration until the late 15th century.