Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer born around 1450. He is best known for being the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, reaching the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. This significant voyage opened the sea route to India and the East Indies, paving the way for future exploration. Dias's journey was crucial in the Age of Discovery, as it demonstrated the possibility of reaching Asia by sea. His explorations contributed to the expansion of Portugal's maritime empire and increased European interest in trade with Asia. He later died in 1500 during another expedition.