Cause and effect for the Portuguese exploration

The fall of Constantinopole, the old capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire, in Turkish hands in 1453, cut the traditional routes of commerce used by European merchants to trade with Asia. This spurred naval and geographical exploration by Europeans. Portugal was one of the most active and daring naval powers of those times. Portuguese sailors and adventurers ventured farther south along African coasts. In 1498, Portuguese Vasco da Gama reached India after having sorrounded Africa, opening new trade routes. It was a major achievement of the Age of Exploration.