From the medium of the XV E century, some handles of Europeans, overcoming their fear of a hostile sea and the influence of the legends which affirm that beyond the horizon the vacuum reigns, leave the shores of the Iberian peninsula to launch out to the adventure; they discover the Southern Africa, then a whole continent from which one did not suspect the existence, America. The Great Discoveries, which base European hegemony on the rest of the world, mark the beginning of the modern era.

To the XV E century, Europe finds in the East (India, China, Japan) of the products of very great value: silk and spices. But the terrestrial road is controlled by the Othomans and the sea route by the Italians (Genoa and Venice). After the catch of Constantinople by the Othomans in 1453, the trade becomes increasingly difficult.
Portuguese reaches the Indies then by sailing round Africa, like Diaz in 1487 or Vasco de Gama in 1498.

On behalf of Spain, Christophe Colomb seeks to reach the Indies, which he imagines near, by the West. But the Atlantic Ocean is vaster than he thinks it. and he discovers in 1492 an unknown continent: America!

In 1497, on behalf of England, Cabot discovers Newfoundland by seeking the road of the Indies by the North-West. In 1500, the Cabral Portuguese, by seeking more regular winds on the road of Africa discovers by chance Brazil. In 1534, the French Jacques Cartier seeks in his turn the passage of the North-West towards the Indies and discovers Canada. For Spain, Magellan seeks the passage of South-west towards the Indies. From 1519 to 1522 its ships make the first round the world tour.

• Discover the animation (in Flash above) of the “Great discoveries” realized by company INTERCARTO.