voyages to the West

Voyages to the West refer to historical explorations and journeys undertaken primarily by European powers, notably Spain and Portugal, during the Age of Exploration from the 15th to the 17th centuries. These voyages aimed to discover new trade routes, expand territories, and spread Christianity. Key figures include Christopher Columbus, who sailed to the Americas in 1492, and Ferdinand Magellan, who led the first voyage to circumnavigate the globe. These expeditions significantly impacted global trade, colonization, and cultural exchanges, shaping the modern world by connecting distant continents and facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and populations.