During the 1500 technological advances in navigation - naval engineering and map making contributed directly to the start of the?

During the 1500s, advancements in navigation, such as the development of the magnetic compass and improved ship designs like the caravel, facilitated longer sea voyages. Enhanced map-making techniques, including the use of more accurate cartography, allowed explorers to better understand and navigate the world's oceans. These innovations were crucial in the Age of Exploration, enabling European powers to embark on extensive overseas expeditions, leading to the discovery of new lands and the establishment of trade routes. This period marked the beginning of significant global interactions, colonialism, and the expansion of empires.