Bartolomeu Dias

Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer in the late 15th century who was the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope, in 1488. His voyage opened new trade routes to Asia, allowing Europeans to bypass Arab and Ottoman-controlled routes. Dias's journey was significant for expanding geographic knowledge, boosting Portugal's maritime exploration efforts, and paving the way for future explorers like Vasco da Gama. His achievements marked a major milestone in the Age of Discovery, helping to establish sea routes that would shape global trade.