Discoveries of the 15th century

The 15th century was a period of remarkable exploration, marked notably by Europeans seeking new trade routes and lands. Key discoveries included the Portuguese navigating along the African coast, finding valuable routes to Asia, and Christopher Columbus reaching the Americas in 1492. These voyages expanded European knowledge of the world, establishing new trade opportunities and initiating cultural exchanges. Advances in navigation technology, such as the compass and mapmaking, facilitated these explorations. Overall, 15th-century discoveries broadened horizons, reshaped global maps, and set the stage for future exploration and cross-continental interactions.