Portugal's maritime exploration began in the 15th century during the Age of Discovery. Driven by a desire for new trade routes and resources, Portuguese explorers like Prince Henry the Navigator established schools for navigation and shipbuilding. They developed advanced ships, such as the caravel, which allowed them to sail further along the African coast and into the Atlantic Ocean. Notable expeditions included Bartolomeu Dias, who reached the Cape of Good Hope in 1488, and Vasco da Gama, who discovered a sea route to India in 1498. These voyages significantly expanded European knowledge of the world and established Portugal as a leading maritime power.