Who were Explorers in 1500?

In the early 1500s, explorers were adventurous individuals primarily from European nations who sought new trade routes and territories. Notable figures included Christopher Columbus, who completed his voyages to the Americas in the late 1490s, and Vasco da Gama, who reached India by sea in 1498. These explorers played crucial roles in the Age of Discovery, expanding geographic knowledge and initiating global trade networks. Their journeys often led to the colonization and significant cultural exchanges between Europe and the newly encountered lands.