USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Age of Exploration (also called the Age of Discovery) began in the 1400s and continued through the 1600s. It was a period of time when the European nations began exploring the world.

Detailed explanation-2: -Why did the Age of Exploration begin? It began in the late 1400s. European countries wanted to find different trade routes to Asia. Portugal had taken over the sea route around Africa and the land route was dangerous.

Detailed explanation-3: -By the end of the 1400s, the compass was much improved. Sailors used compasses to find their bearing, or direction of travel. The astrolabe helped sailors determine their distance north or south from the equator. Finally, improved weapons gave Europeans a huge advantage over the people they met in their explorations.

Detailed explanation-4: -Portugal, the western-most European country, was one of the primary players in the European Age of Discovery and Exploration. Under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal took the principal role during most of the fifteenth century in searching for a route to Asia by sailing south around Africa.