How did explorers use the caravel?

Explorers used the caravel, a small and highly maneuverable sailing ship, primarily during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its design, featuring lateen sails, allowed for better navigation in various wind conditions and the ability to sail closer to the wind. This made it ideal for long voyages along the coasts of Africa, into the Atlantic, and across the oceans, facilitating trade, exploration, and the establishment of new trade routes. The caravel played a crucial role in expanding European knowledge of the world and in the age of maritime discovery.