Vasco da Gama may have felt challenged to explore, because the Europeans wanted to trade with China, Japan and India, without relying on the Muslim- controlled Silk Road through central Asia. To do so, they had to reach Asia by sea. Advances in ship building and navigation allowed 15th- century Europeans to sail further than previously possible. No-one, however, knew of a sea route to Asia. Da Gama may have felt that it was his duty as a fine sailor to lead his country's investigations.

The scope of his achievement in the extent of European human knowledge.

Vasco da Gama's many voyages to India proved to be very useful to today's human knowledge. He lead Europeans to believe that there was a way around Africa and the Silk Road through Asia. He also helped propel Portugal into a new status as a world trading leader. Da Gama's voyage...