Vasco Da Gama By Ella Ryan

Who was Vasco Da Gama? Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer He is known best for discovering an ocean route from Portugal to the East Da Gama's father Estavao was also an explorer. Estavao Da Gama was to have made the sea voyage from Portugal to India that eventually made his son famous, but the elder da Gama died before completing the journey

Where was Vasco Da Gama Born? Vasco Da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal around 1460. Da Gama was born to a noble family in Sines, Portugal.

Vasco Da Gama’s Most Important Accomplishment Vasco Da Gama found a route from Portugal east to India by going around the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa. He was the person one to sail directly from Europe to India, using this route.

Vasco Da Gama’s Famous Journey Vasco Da Gama’s journey started in the Libson around 1497 His mission was to reach India and open a sea trade route from Europe to the east

Vasco Da Gama’s Reward for his Discovery Da Gama used his route to set up a trade in India and eventually became the Portuguese viceroy (or governor) of India His discovery was very important in the history of navigation as well as helpful in establishing Portugal as a major colonial empire

Other Fun facts Historians can’t agree whether he was born in 1460 or 1469, but they do know that he died on December 23rd, 1524. Vasco Da Gama was born in Portugal and he died in Kochi, India. Vasco Da Gama’s father was a knight and also an explorer. Thousands of sailors lost their lives in attacks and shipwrecks while trying to reach India for years before Vasco Da Gama made the successful voyage. Vasco Da Gama left Portugal on July 8th, 1497 to find a sea route to India. He had 4 ships and 170 men. His ships were named the San Gabriel, the Sao Rafael, and the Berrio. The fourth ship did not have a name as it was only used for storage. Vasco Da Gama reached India (Calicut) on May 20th, 1498 – in less than a month On return voyage half of Da Gama’s crew died of scurvy.

Other Fun Facts Vasco Da Gama became famous for being the first European explorer to leave Europe by ship and sail by going to India and sailing around the tip of Africa or the Cape of Good Hope. He was a Portuguese explorer, and one of the most famous from the age of discovery. His discovery of the route to India around the tip of Africa or cape of good hope allowed the Portuguese to create a colonial empire in Asia. It also meant that sailors wouldn’t have to cross the Mediterranean sea that considered to be very dangerous at the time. His discovery also made it possible for the Portuguese empire to improve its trade which improved the economy.

Other Fun facts Da Gama was the commander of 2 more trips to India. On the second trip he had 20 armed ships instead of only the 4 ships on the original journey. Vasco’s father was supposed to be the commander of the expedition to India. It was delayed for so many years that Vasco ended up being given the expedition. There is a crater on the moon that is named after Vasco Da Gama. Vasco Da Gama’s father’s name was Esteveo Da Gama. Vasco Da Gama’s mother’s name was Isabel Sodre. Vasco Da Gama’s wife’s name was Catarina De Ataide. Vasco Da Gama and his wife, Catarina De Ataide had six sons and one daughter.

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