

During the early 15th century, Arab and Chinese traders traveled along the Indian Ocean and to present-day India, Thailand, East Africa, Arabia, and Southeast Asia. In the mid-14th century, a Moroccan scholar set out to several regions, including: North Africa, West Africa, the Sahara desert, the Horn of Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe, and China. These trips were carried out by Italian traders, Christian missionaries, and Russian royalty. This map, the Tabula Rogeriana, provided inspiration to a number of curious explorers.įrom the late 13th to early 15th century (the Middle Ages), some explorers traveled by land from to Eurasia and beyond, using pre-existing trade routes from Eurasia to the Middle East to China. However, little was known about the southern reaches of the African continent, so it was excluded. Al-Idrisi collected information from Norman explorers and Islamic merchants, creating the most complex and thorough world map of its time. In the 12th century, Muhammad al-Idrisi, an Arab geographer, created a world map for the King of Sicily. Christian missionaries were also able to spread around the world during the Age of Exploration, helping Christianity become one of the most widely practiced religions in the world.Įvents Leading Up To The Age Of Explorationīefore the Age of Exploration really took off, several seafaring expeditions occurred, leaving behind some information that prompted the Age of Exploration. Although, this arguably led to increased military conquest and resource exploitation. The Age of Exploration facilitated the exchange of ideas and religions between the hemispheres, but also resulted in the spread of communicable diseases, which severely reduced and, in some cases, wiped out some populations.īecause of this historical period, world maps are now available. Additionally, it saw the introduction of new human populations, including an increase in the trade and sale of slaves and the use of slavery. This trade brought about the exchange of new foods, animals, and plants. Overseas travel, exploration, and discovery paved the way for trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa (the Old World) and Australia and the Americas (the New World). However, for many others, the Age of Exploration is remembered as a time their lands were invaded and settled by newcomers.


For many Europeans, the Age of Exploration signifies a time when new lands were discovered. It is responsible for influencing European culture, initiating globalization, and introducing colonialism around the world. This era began in the late 1400’s and lasted through the 1700’s. The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, is the period in European history when overseas exploration began to grow in popularity.
