How did the Portuguese become such good sailors during the Age of Discovery?
During the Age of Discovery, the Portuguese emerged as skilled sailors, leading the way in European maritime exploration. Here are some factors that contributed to their prowess:
- Geographical Advantage: Portugal's location on the Iberian Peninsula provided access to the Atlantic Ocean and proximity to major trade routes.
- Royal Patronage: Prince Henry the Navigator, known as "the Father of Portuguese Discovery," sponsored expeditions and established schools for navigation and shipbuilding.
- Technological Advancements: The Portuguese developed the caravel, a lightweight and maneuverable ship, and the astrolabe, an instrument for determining latitude.
- Expertise in Maritime Techniques: Portuguese sailors accumulated extensive knowledge of ocean currents, celestial navigation, and wind patterns through repeated voyages.
- Economic Incentives: Trade with distant lands, particularly the spice trade with India, offered significant economic rewards, motivating Portuguese sailors to venture far and wide.
Related Questions and Answers:
- What was Prince Henry the Navigator's role in Portuguese exploration? (He sponsored expeditions and established schools for navigation and shipbuilding.)
- What technological advancement helped the Portuguese in their maritime endeavors? (The development of the caravel and the astrolabe.)
- What economic incentives motivated Portuguese sailors? (Trade with distant lands, especially the spice trade.)
- What region provided Portugal with access to the Atlantic Ocean? (The Iberian Peninsula.)
- What was the name of the lightweight and maneuverable ship developed by the Portuguese? (The caravel.)
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