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Diogo Cão

Type Figure Region Portugal Time c. 1452–1486 Also known as Diogo Cão、Diogo Cam、迪奥戈·卡姆

Diogo Cão was a Portuguese explorer who sailed south along the West African coast three times between 1482 and 1486, reaching the mouth of the Congo …

Timeline

  1. c. 1452–1482Lisbon · Kingdom of PortugalHe served in the Portuguese royal navy around the accession of John II, taking part in Gulf of Guinea trade routes and fortress construction, accumulating experience for southward exploration.
  2. 1482–1483Lobito · AngolaIn 1482 he led two ships south past Lobito, erecting padrão pillars on the West African coast to mark the extent of Portuguese arrival, pushing exploration south of Benguela.
  3. 1484–1485Mouth of the Congo River · CongoOn his second voyage in 1484 he reached the mouth of the Congo River, went up the estuary to contact the rulers of the Kingdom of Kongo, erected a second padrão, and sent envoys inland, expanding Portuguese-Kongolese diplomatic ties.
  4. 1485–1486Namibe · AngolaOn his third southward voyage in 1485–1486 he erected a third padrão near Namibe, after which he disappeared; his date of death and the details are unknown, but his voyages laid the groundwork for the era of Dias and da Gama.

Sources