Library of Congress
Loc: Mediterranean World on the Eve of Conquest
The Library of Congress provides an essay on the reasons for exploration during the 15th century.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Vasco Da Gama
This site from Fordham University provides a look into the thoughts of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama by examining his journal entries during his voyage to India.
Soylent Communications
Notable Names Database|nndb: Bartholomew Diaz (Bartolomeu Dias)
Fifteenth century Portuguese explorer, Bartholomew Diaz (Bartolomeu Dias), known for discovering the Cape of Good Hope, is featured in this biography.
University of California
University of California, Santa Barbara: Henry the Navigator
Short essay by university professor discuss Henry the Navigator.
Other
Radford University: Prelude to European Settlement of Virginia
This site traces the early voyages of explorers from Portugal and Spain who were trying to find new resources.
Soft Schools
Soft Schools: Amerigo Vespucci Timeline
A timeline illustrating the significant events of Amerigo Vespucci's life and legacy. Amerigo Vespucci is credited for being the first explorer to "discover" America by stating that it was a new country, not the West Indies.
Other
Guide to Thailand: History of Thailand & Southeast Asia
A summary on the history of Southeast Asia. Click on the topics in the left side navigation bar to go to other chapters in the history.
BBC
Bbc: Vasco Da Gama
A nice biography of the great explorer focusing on how da Gama's voyage and discoveries changed the makeup of the world. Archived.
A&E Television
History.com: Vasco Da Gama
A biography of Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and a summary of his voyages.
Other
Slippery Rock University: The Treaty of Tordesillas
Some very basic information on the Treaty of Tordesillas and geographic information related to South America.
Library of Congress
Loc: Portuguese Exploration Along the Northeast Coast of North America
This site, which is provided for by the Library of Congress, gives a history of the Portuguese explorations of North America. The information is fairly brief, but factual, and worth checking out on the subject.
Digital History
Digital History: European Commercial and Financial Expansion
An interesting look at the support for Portuguese exploration by the bankers of Germany and Italy. See how Christopher Columbus' desires for riches was stoked by Portuguese trading posts in the Atlantic.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Bartolomeu Dias
Since not much is known about Bartolomeu Dias (1450-1500 CE), a Portuguese explorer, his biography is somewhat short. We do know that he rounded the Cape of Good Hope and successfully found a route to India.
Other
Beyond the Map: Dividing the World: Treaty of Tordesillas
An interesting look at the Treaty of Tordesillas, how it affected Spanish and Portuguese exploration, and how it was ignored by other countries.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Vasco Da Gama
A biography of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. He is acclaimed for being the first captain to establish a direct trade route from Europe to Asia.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Land of the Brave: Amerigo Vespucci Facts
Overview and biographical facts on the life of Amerigo Vespucci who demonstrated that the New World was not Asia but an unknown new continent.
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools
Loon Lake Elementary School: Amerigo Vespucci
A concise biography highlighting the contributions of explorer Amerigo Vespucci. He is credited with being the first to land on America's land knowing that it was the New World.
Other
Boglewood: Portugal's Da Gama Opens Sea Route to India
A glance at Da Gama's journey to India, with attention to its influence on Venice. Also provides a link with information on Columbus's discovery of the New World.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: The Portuguese Conquest of Brazil
This site provides a brief overview of the conquest of Brazil during approximately 1500 AD. Includes brief but good information about Portuguese imperialism and colonization of Brazil through 1600.