Pedro Álvares Cabral was a Portuguese explorer born around 1467. He is best known for his discovery of Brazil in 1500 during a voyage to India. Cabral's expedition was part of Portugal's efforts to establish trade routes in the Indian Ocean. Cabral's arrival in Brazil marked the beginning of Portuguese colonization in South America. He claimed the land for Portugal and established the first European presence in the region. His journey contributed significantly to the expansion of the Portuguese Empire and the subsequent cultural and economic exchanges between Europe and the Americas.