The exploration of Brazil by Pedro Cabral (1467-1520) established the nation of Portugal as a major power on the continent of South America. This would have a profound effect on the Native American people in the region and would eventually establish the modern culture of Latin America.
Although the previous expedition of Vasco da Gama to India, on its sea route, had recorded signs of land west of the southern Atlantic Ocean (in 1497), Cabral led the first known expedition to have touched four continents: Europe, Africa, America, and Asia.
Cabral and his fleet left South America and headed back southeast towards the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. Along the way, the fleet encountered bad storms. On May 24, 1500, the storm sank four of Cabral's ships, including the one carrying Bartolomeu Dias. Dias and all men aboard the four ships drowned and died.
Pedro Cabral also had an effect on the Columbian Exchange. When Cabral arrived in Brazil, he brought with him foods native to Portugal and Europe specifically. The introduction of these foods had an effect on the Natives and other inhabitants of the newly discovered land. Their culture changed completely.
Pedro Cabral faced many challenges between 1500 and 1501 on his journey that led him to discover Brazil. The waters were unpredictable, and storms could come suddenly and end their journey. There was also the challenge of enemy ships and pirates that made traveling by water extremely dangerous.
Portugal discovered new lands, new sea routes and made better maps of the world. When Vasco de Gama found a new route to India, the Portuguese were able to trade spices and jewels. Portugal got richer because of the Indian trade. Portuguese explorers were able to discover and conquer new worlds.
Apparently carried further west than intended, Cabral's ships crossed the Atlantic at its narrowest point and bumped accidentally into Brazil.
Pedro Álvares Cabral, (born 1467/68, Belmonte, Portugal—died 1520, Santarém?), Portuguese navigator who is generally credited as the first European to reach Brazil (April 22, 1500).
diplomat Pedro Álvares CabralBrazil was officially "discovered" in 1500, when a fleet commanded by Portuguese diplomat Pedro Álvares Cabral, on its way to India, landed in Porto Seguro, between Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. (There is, however, strong evidence that other Portuguese adventurers preceded him.
navigator Ferdinand MagellanIn 1521, a Spanish expedition led by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan was the first recorded crossing of the Pacific Ocean, Magellan then naming it the “peaceful sea.” Starting in 1565 with the voyage of Andres de Urdaneta, the Spanish controlled transpacific trade for 250 years; Manila galleons would cross ...
The Portuguese destroyed the Arab trade routes in the Indian Ocean between Africa, Arabia and India. The Portuguese replaced Arab control of the trade in ivory, gold and slaves with their own. They traded up the Zambezi river and interfered with the existing inland African trade.
As with many South American countries, the history of Brazil begins with indigenous people, and dates back over 10,000 years.