Gama, Vasco da

Gama, Vasco da
(ca. 1469-1524)
   Portuguese explorer, the commander chosen to lead the expedition of 1497-1499 that reached the port of Calicut in India in May 1498 and thus completed Portugal's search for a route to India by way of South Africa. He was a member of an influential aristocratic family. The fact that he rather than the more obscure Bartolomeu Dias received the command of the fleet suggests that he had considerable maritime experience, though it is possible that his preferment arose solely from his social rank. Upon his triumphant return home in 1499, he was given many honors, including membership on the royal council, designation as admiral of India, and the rare and extremely exalted rank of count. He also led the fourth Portuguese expedition to India in 1502-1503 and made a third trip in 1524 as viceroy of India, but he died there on Christmas Eve of the same year.

Historical Dictionary of Renaissance. . 2004.

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  • Gama, Vasco de — Gama, Vasco de, der Erste, welcher die Seereise nach Ostindien um das Vorgebirge der guten Hoffnung 1498 zurücklegte und demnach der Begründer der portugiesischen Kolonien an den Küsten Indiens, war 1450 geboren. Schon vor ihm hatte Bartholomäus… …   Damen Conversations Lexikon

  • Gama, Vasco da — • The discover of the sea route to East Indies; born at Sines, Province of Alemtejo, Portugal, about 1469; died at Cochin, India, 24 December, 1524 Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006 …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Gama, Vasco da, 1er conde de Vidigueira — ( 1460, Sines, Portugal–24 dic. 1524, Cochin, India). Navegante portugués. En su primer viaje a India (1497–99), navegó con cuatro barcos alrededor del cabo de Buena Esperanza, y visitó varias ciudades mercantiles en Mozambique y Kenia durante el …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Gama, Vasco da — ▪ Portuguese navigator Introduction Portuguese  Vasco da Gama, 1er conde da Vidigueira  born c. 1460, Sines, Port. died Dec. 24, 1524, Cochin, India       Portuguese navigator whose voyages to India (1497–99, 1502–03, 1524) opened up the sea… …   Universalium

  • Gama,Vasco da — Ga·ma (gămʹə, gäʹmə), Vasco da. 1460? 1524. Portuguese explorer and colonial administrator. The first European to sail to India (1497 1498), he opened the rich lands of the East to Portuguese trade and colonization. * * * …   Universalium

  • Gama, Vasco da, 1st count da Vidigueira — born с 1460, Sines, Port. died Dec. 24, 1524, Cochin, India Portuguese navigator. On his first voyage to India (1497–99), he traveled around the Cape of Good Hope with four ships, visiting trading cities in Mozambique and Kenya en route. Portugal …   Universalium

  • Gama, Vasco de — ► (1469 1524) Navegante portugués. Halló el paso oriental hacia las Indias y realizó la circunnavegación de África. Dobló el cabo de Buena Esperanza y arribó a Calicut en 1498. Tras la muerte del virrey de Alburquerque, para poner fin a los… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • GAMA, VASCO DA —    a famous Portuguese navigator, the discoverer of the route to India round the Cape of Good Hope, born at Sines, in Portugal, of good family; he seems to have won the favour of King Emmanuel at an early age, and already an experienced mariner,… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Gama, Vasco da —  (Not de.) (c. 1469–1524) Portuguese explorer …   Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors

  • Gama, Vasco da — …   Useful english dictionary

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