Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer who made one of the most important sea journeys in history. In 1498, he became the first European to sail from Europe to India by going around the southern tip of Africa. This new sea route helped Portugal become a powerful trading empire, connecting Europe and Asia through spices and goods. Da Gama’s voyage opened the door to global trade but also began a long period of European exploration and colonization.

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