Caravel

Timeline

1. c. 1450–1480Lisbon and Sagres · PortugalPortuguese shipbuilders improved on Mediterranean light sailing vessels, developing the caravel suited to sailing against the wind and coastal exploration, which became the key tool for advancing along the west coast of Africa.
2. c. 1488–1498Cape of Good Hope to India route · AfricaIn the voyages of Dias, da Gama, and others, caravels carried out scouting, liaison, and coastal navigation tasks, proving the feasibility of rounding Africa to the East and opening Indian Ocean trade.
3. 1521–1530Portuguese overseas trade network · Portuguese EmpireInto the 1520s caravels were still used on the African coast, off Brazil, and on Indian Ocean liaison routes, performing scouting, towing, and small-to-medium cargo duties, dividing labor with carracks and galleons.