Portuguese overseas expansion

Portuguese overseas expansion, beginning in the 15th century, was driven by the desire to find new trade routes, access valuable resources, and spread Christianity. They explored and established colonies along Africa, Asia, and South America, creating a global network for trade, especially in spices, gold, and other goods. Portugal’s navigators, like Vasco da Gama, were key in pioneering these routes. This expansion transformed global commerce, initiated cultural exchanges, and laid the groundwork for a vast colonial empire, significantly shaping world history and geopolitics during the Age of Discovery.