In 1488, Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias (c. 1450-1500) became the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa, opening the way for a sea route from Europe to Asia.
Who gave the name Cape of Good Hope?
The Cape was originally named the Cape of Storms in the 1480s by the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias . It was later renamed to Good Hope to attract more people to the Cape Sea Route that passed the southern coast of Africa.
Who reached Cape of Good Hope first?
Cape of Good Hope, rocky promontory at the southern end of Cape Peninsula, Western Cape province, South Africa. The first European to sight the cape was Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias in 1488 on his return voyage to Portugal after ascertaining the southern limits of the African continent.
Who discovered Cape Point?
Prince Henry was desperate to find a sea route to the East and this is how Cape Point was first found. However, it was the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias who was the first to round the peninsula in 1448.
What was the result of the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope?
Bartholomew Dias , Portuguese discoverer of the Cape of Good Hope, drowns at sea. The first European known to set foot on South African soil was Bartholomew (or Bartolomeu) Dias. ... In 1500 Dias accompanied Pedro ÁƒÂƒÂ lvares Cabral on the voyage that resulted in the discovery of Brazil.
Which is the largest island in Africa?
Madagascar, island country lying off the southeastern coast of Africa. Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, after Greenland, New Guinea, and Borneo. Madagascar Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
What is the southern point of Africa called?
Cape Agulhas , Africa's southernmost point, is Portuguese for Cape of Needles.
Who found India?
Vasco-Da-Gama discovered India when on a voyage.
Who discovered Africa?
Portuguese explorer Prince Henry , known as the Navigator, was the first European to methodically explore Africa and the oceanic route to the Indies.
Who discovered the sea route for India?
Vasco da Gama's name has figured in all history books, whether they relate to World, European, 1 Asian or Indian history, 2 as a great sailor and adventurer. He has been solely credited with the honour of having discovered the sea-route from Europe to India via the Cape of Good Hope.
Why is it called Cape Point?
Named the ‘Cape of Storms' by Bartolomeu Dias in 1488; the ‘Point' was treated with respect by sailors for centuries. ... Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias was the first to round the Cape Peninsula in 1488. He named it the “Cape of Storms”, for the notoriously bad weather, which can blow up quickly .
Can you see Antarctica from Cape Point?
Even though on a clear day you feel as if you could see to Antarctica from Cape Point, it is at least 6,000 kilometres away .
Which South African community is the oldest?
The Khoisan are South Africa's oldest inhabitants and are made up of a number of related communities: The Cape Khoi; the Nama; the Koranna; the Griqua and the San – who also often refer to themselves as bushmen.
What did the Khoikhoi have that the Portuguese wanted?
The Khoikhoi people at the Cape traded sheep, cattle, ivory, ostrich feathers and shells for beads, metal objects, tobacco and alcohol . Unlike the Portuguese, the Dutch did not trade guns as they did not want the Khoikhoi to use the guns against them.
Why did Bartholomew Diaz call the southern tip of Africa the Cape of Storms?
On the journey back, Dias observed the southernmost point of Africa, later called Cabo das Agulhas, or Cape of Needles. Dias named the rocky second cape Cabo das Tormentas (Cape of Storms) for the tempestuous storms and strong Atlantic-Antarctic currents that made ship travel so perilous .
Who was the first European to reach India by sea?
Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama becomes the first European to reach India via the Atlantic Ocean when he arrives at Calicut on the Malabar Coast. Da Gama sailed from Lisbon, Portugal, in July 1497, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and anchored at Malindi on the east coast of Africa.
