In the 15th century, a small kingdom with a population of approximately 1 million launched the era of maritime exploration that would transform the world.
Perched on the southwestern part of the Iberian peninsula, Portugal turned to the boundless Atlantic Ocean as its only outlet to the wider world. As early as 1341, Portuguese sailors had made their first forays into the tempting waters that lay beyond their shores, exploring the Canary Islands off the northwestern coast of Africa.
Rival Spain would later end up conquering the Canaries, but the Portuguese had already seized the global advantage when it came to shipbuilding, navigation and mapmaking. Not long after the 15th century dawned, Portugal under the ambitious King John I turned its sights toward Morocco, the Muslim stronghold seen as the gateway to the gold, spices and other untold riches in Africa and beyond.
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