Describes the explorations of Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama in the sixteenth century which led to the establishment of Spanish and Portuguese empires around the world.

Describes the fifteenth century voyages taken by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, who furthered his nation's power by expanding trade routes to India.

Recounts the voyages undertaken by fifteenth-century Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama to strengthen his nation's power by establishing a sea trade route to India.

"Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was a bold and brutal adventurer who was the first European to find an all-sea route to India. Along the way, he made contact with local people in South Africa, Mozambique, and the Indian kingdom of Calicut. Though revered in his time for helping Portugal become a powerful force on the world stage, da Gama is also remembered as a controversial figure for his forceful and cruel behavior in Africa and India. This warts-and-all...