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Updated:Apr 23, 2026
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Early Portuguese exploration of the West African coast (1434–1482)

Early Portuguese exploration of the West African coast (1434–1482)

  1. First return voyage brings gold and captives

    Labels: Caravel, Portuguese voyage
  2. Portuguese reach and trade at Arguin Bay

    Labels: Arguin Bay, Trading post
  3. Dinis Dias reaches the Senegal River mouth

    Labels: Dinis Dias, Senegal River
  4. Nuño Tristão sights the Gambia River

    Labels: Nu o, Gambia River
  5. Portuguese build fort and warehouse on Arguin

    Labels: Arguin fort, Prince Henry
  6. Papal bull Dum Diversas authorizes conquest and enslavement

    Labels: Dum Diversas, Pope Nicholas
  7. Papal bull Romanus Pontifex backs Portuguese monopoly claims

    Labels: Romanus Pontifex, Papal bull
  8. Diogo Gomes sent to investigate West Africa

    Labels: Diogo Gomes, G ba
  9. Death of Prince Henry the Navigator

    Labels: Prince Henry, Portugal
  10. Crown leases Guinea trade to Fernão Gomes

    Labels: Fern o, Guinea trade
  11. Explorers identify gold trading area at Mina

    Labels: Elmina, Jo o
  12. Treaty of Alcáçovas allocates Atlantic spheres

    Labels: Treaty of, Portugal-Castile
  13. Portuguese build Elmina Castle to secure gold trade

    Labels: Elmina Castle, Gold Coast
  14. Diogo Cão reaches the Congo River estuary

    Labels: Diogo C, Congo River