Vasco de Gama (v. 1469 with Sines with the Portugal — December 24th 1524 with Cochin in India) is a navigator Portuguese, the first European to arrive in India by sea by circumventing the Cape of Good Hope.

He is the son of Estêvão de Gama, noble Portuguese, governor of the southern part.

Forwarding in the Indies

See also: Chronology of the first Portuguese forwarding in the Indies

When Vasco de Gama embarks in 1497 with the head of four ships, that made approximately a century that the Portuguese, following the forwardings launched by the prince Henri the Navigator, explore the African coasts methodically. In particular, Bartolomeu Dias doubled in 1488 the Cape of Good Hope, and the following stage consists in rejoining India and its richnesses. In the passing, one hopes to find mythical the Royaume of the priest Jean, and to conclude with him an alliance against the Othoman S, but this hope will be disappointed.

Vasco de Gama arrives to India at Calicut, after approximately a year of navigation. In 1502, the new “admiral of the Indies” takes again the sea, with a many fleet (a score of warships). This forwarding marks the beginnings of the colonial Empire Portuguese, and will bring back to the crown substantial spoils as well as important commercial privileges…

Covered from honors, Vasco de Gama however will be left in a semi-retirement during 20 years, before being named Vice-roi of the Indies in 1524. He dies however little of time after being arrived there. Its remainders will be brought back to the Portugal in 1539.

Although violent one and pitiless, it could show courage, the firmness of character, the width of vision necessary to be made hear humble sailors like arrogant sultans.

With the difference of Christophe Colomb, Vasco de Gama did not leave an account of voyage. However, one of its men held a newspaper, which gives a good outline of the various types of problems that it was necessary for them to surmount.

Honors

• In 1994 it was represented on the Banknotes Portuguese of 500 escudos (approximately 2,50 Euros)
• Achevé in 1998,500 years after the arrival in India de Vasco de Gama, the longest bridge of Europe, located at Lisbon, bears its name (Pont Vasco da Gama).
• a football club, based in Rio de Janeiro, to Brazil, bears its name.