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

1. Gil Eanes rounds Cape Bojador

   Jan 1, 1434Labels: Gil Eanes, Cape Bojador

   • Britannica
   • Britannica

2. First return voyage brings gold and captives

   Jan 1, 1441Labels: Caravel, Portuguese voyage

   • Britannica

3. Portuguese reach and trade at Arguin Bay

   Jan 1, 1443Labels: Arguin Bay, Trading post

   • Britannica
   • Henry Wiki

4. Dinis Dias reaches the Senegal River mouth

   Jan 1, 1445Labels: Dinis Dias, Senegal River

   • Britannica
   • Dinis Dias

5. Nuño Tristão sights the Gambia River

   Jan 1, 1446Labels: Nu o, Gambia River

   • Britannica

6. Portuguese build fort and warehouse on Arguin

   Jan 1, 1448Labels: Arguin fort, Prince Henry

   • Britannica
   • Henry Wiki

7. Papal bull Dum Diversas authorizes conquest and enslavement

   Jun 18, 1452Labels: Dum Diversas, Pope Nicholas

   • Dum Diversas

8. Papal bull Romanus Pontifex backs Portuguese monopoly claims

   Jan 8, 1455Labels: Romanus Pontifex, Papal bull

   • History Commons

9. Diogo Gomes sent to investigate West Africa

   Jan 1, 1456Labels: Diogo Gomes, G ba

   • Britannica

10. Death of Prince Henry the Navigator

    Nov 13, 1460Labels: Prince Henry, Portugal

    • Britannica

11. Crown leases Guinea trade to Fernão Gomes

    Jan 1, 1469Labels: Fern o, Guinea trade

    • EPE
    • Fern o Gomes

12. Explorers identify gold trading area at Mina

    Jan 1, 1471Labels: Elmina, Jo o

    • HPIP
    • Britannica

13. Treaty of Alcáçovas allocates Atlantic spheres

    Sep 4, 1479Labels: Treaty of, Portugal-Castile

    • Britannica
    • EPE

14. Portuguese build Elmina Castle to secure gold trade

    Jan 1, 1482Labels: Elmina Castle, Gold Coast

    • Britannica

15. Diogo Cão reaches the Congo River estuary

    Aug 1, 1482Labels: Diogo C, Congo River

    • Britannica