Vasco da Gama's Route to India

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Vasco da Gama's route to India marked a pivotal moment in maritime history by establishing the first direct sea route from Europe to Asia. Departing from Lisbon on July 8, 1497, da Gama led a fleet of four ships: the "São Gabriel," "São Rafael," a caravel named "Berrio," and a storeship. His journey was a culmination of years of exploration along Africa's coast, building on the achievements of Bartolomeu Dias, who had rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. Da Gama's route took him through the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and along the South African coast before successfully navigating the Cape of Good Hope. Da Gama reached India on May 20, 1498, landing at Kozhikode (Calicut). Despite initial difficulties in negotiating trade terms with local rulers, he managed to establish a tentative agreement. The return journey was challenging, with da Gama losing half his crew to scurvy and harsh weather conditions. He arrived back in Portugal in September 1499, hailed as a hero for opening a new trade route that would transform global commerce and mark the beginning of the Portuguese Empire's expansion into Asia. This voyage not only reshaped trade dynamics but also laid the groundwork for European colonization in the region.