Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese mariner, explorer and nobleman. His discovery of the first maritime route between Europe and India—around the Cape of Good Hope, then across the Indian Ocean from Malindi in Kenya to Kozhikode—opened up European exploration of, and commerce with, India, and is considered a landmark event in world history.
- Occupation
- explorer, world traveler, seafarer, naval officer
- Position held
- Viceroy of the Portuguese Provinces of India
- Citizenship
- Kingdom of Portugal
- Born
- 1469, 1460
- Died
- December 24, 1524
