Diogo Cão Reaches the Congo River

Name: Diogo Cão Reaches the Congo River
Start: 1482

Type Event Region Africa Time 1482

In 1482, Portuguese navigator Diogo Cão, under orders from John II, sailed south along Africa's west coast and reached the mouth of the Congo (Zaire)…

Timeline

1482Mouth of the Congo River · Lower Congo RiverDiogo Cão led his fleet southward from the Gulf of Guinea coast, crossed waters near the equator, and entered the mouth of the Congo River, confirming the existence of a vast waterway leading inland from Africa's west coast.
1482Coast along the mouth of the Congo River · Central AfricaThe fleet made contact with local fishermen and envoys representing the Kingdom of Congo, exchanging gifts and gathering intelligence about inland kingdoms, paving the way for subsequent diplomatic exchanges.

Sources

Encyclopaedia Britannica: Diogo Cão https://www.britannica.com/biography/Diogo-Cao
The Cambridge History of Africa, Volume 3 (2001)