1498 expedition

The 1498 Vasco da Gama expedition was a Portuguese voyage that successfully navigated around Africa’s southern tip, reaching India’s western coast. This journey, one of the first to connect Europe and Asia via a maritime route, established a sea-based trade link that significantly expanded European influence in Asia. It opened new opportunities for commerce, especially in spices and other valuable goods, and marked a key moment in the Age of Exploration, helping Portugal gain wealth and strategic advantages in global trade networks.