1. By: Jasmine Khosla & Malcolm Straker
Vasco Da Gama
By: Jasmine Khosla & Malcolm Straker

2. Background Information
Da Gama was born in 1469 in Sines, Portugal and died on December 25, 1524
He was a Portuguese sea captain and explorer
As a young man learned the science of astronomy and navigation
He joined the navy in 1492

3. Voyages
On July 8, 1497, he led a fleet of four ships; Berrio, Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael, and a supply ship
A total crew of 170 men representing Portugal
He sailed south along the west coast of Africa and rounded the Cape of Good Hope on November 22
On May 20, 1498, da Gama reached Kozhikode (also known as Calicut), India

4. Purpose of Expedition
To find a sea route to Asia by travelling south down the west coast of Africa and to round the Cape of Good Hope and sail up into India.

5. Hardships Faced
When da Gama arrived at Kozhikode the Indian ruler felt insulted because he thought the gifts he brought him were of little value
On da Gama’s way back from Kozhikode in 1498 many sailors died do to disease only 55 out of 170 men survived

6. Other Notable Occurrences
Da Gama returned in 1502 to establish and expand trade there
He sailed from Lisbon with a fleet of fifteen ships
Da Gama killed many innocent Muslims and Indians in revenge for violence against Portuguese sailors
Portugal soon became 0ne of the most important trading and naval powers in the Indian Ocean

7. Historical Contributions
Da Gama was the first to find a sea route to India by sailing south down the west coast of Africa, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, and sailing up into India
He was also the first to establish trade with India by an alternate sea route than the Ottoman Turks taxed route

8. Bibliography Quiz Time! Books:
Grant, Neil. The Great Atlas of Discovery. Toronto: McClellan and Stuart Inc, Print.
Knight, David. Vasco da Gama. Mahwah, N.J: Troll Associates, Print.
Pictures:
e-ducation.net/discoveryandexploration.htm
Websites:
Halikowski Smith, Stefan. "Da Gama, Vasco." World Book Student. World Book, Web. 28 April 2010.
Explorers of the Millennium. thinkquest.org Web. 28 April
Encyclopedia
“Da Gama.” The World Book Student Discovery Encyclopedia. 2004, 2003, 2002 World Book Inc. ed. Print
Quiz Time!

9. Quiz Da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal.
True
False
Da Gama was born in Sines, Portugal.
Da Gama was the first to find a sea route to India by sailing south down the east coast of Africa, and rounding the Cape of Good Hope.
Da Gama was the second to round the Cape of good Hope.
On da Gama’s way back from Kozhikode in 1498 many sailors died do to disease only 53 out of 170 men survived.
True
False
True
False
True
False

10. Correct!

11. Incorrect