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Bartolomew Dias (1457-1500) was a Portuguese navigator and explorer who
explored Africa's coast. In 1488, Dias led the first European expedition to
sail around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, in 1487. This
breakthrough of navigating the Cape of Good Hope opened up many
trading routes from Europe to Asia. On a later expedition (in 1500) Dias sailed near South
America on the way to Africa, and spotted land at Espírito Santo in Brazil,
calling it the "Land of the True Cross." Although Dias thought it to be an
island, it was still a massive land continent. Dias was still among the first Europeans to see Brazil. Dias died during this expedition; he was lost at sea near the Cape of Good Hope in 1500.
explored Africa's coast. In 1488, Dias led the first European expedition to
sail around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, in 1487. This
breakthrough of navigating the Cape of Good Hope opened up many
trading routes from Europe to Asia. On a later expedition (in 1500) Dias sailed near South
America on the way to Africa, and spotted land at Espírito Santo in Brazil,
calling it the "Land of the True Cross." Although Dias thought it to be an
island, it was still a massive land continent. Dias was still among the first Europeans to see Brazil. Dias died during this expedition; he was lost at sea near the Cape of Good Hope in 1500.