António Noli

António Noli was a Portuguese explorer, navigator, and cartographer who is best known for his role in the Age of Discovery. He was born in 1460 in the Portuguese city of Lisbon and was the son of a wealthy merchant. He was educated in the humanities and sciences, and was an avid reader of books on geography and navigation.

At the age of twenty, Noli joined the Portuguese navy and was sent to explore the African coast. He was part of a fleet of ships that sailed down the coast of West Africa, mapping the coastline and searching for new lands. During this voyage, Noli made several important discoveries, including the island of São Tomé and the island of Príncipe. He also explored the Congo River and the Gulf of Guinea.

In 1488, Noli was part of a fleet of ships that sailed around the Cape of Good Hope and into the Indian Ocean. This voyage was led by Bartolomeu Dias, and it was during this voyage that Noli made his most important discovery: the island of Madagascar. He was the first European to explore the island, and he named it “Ilha de São Lourenço” (Island of St. Lawrence).

Noli continued to explore the Indian Ocean and the East African coast. He was part of a fleet of ships that sailed to India in 1498, and he was the first European to explore the coast of India. He also explored the coast of Arabia and the Persian Gulf.

In 1502, Noli was part of a fleet of ships that sailed to the New World. He was the first European to explore the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. He also explored the coast of Central America and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Noli's explorations were important for the development of Portuguese trade and colonization. He was the first European to explore many parts of the world, and his discoveries helped to open up new trade routes and markets. He also helped to establish Portuguese colonies in the New World.

Noli died in 1514, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered as one of the most important explorers of the Age of Discovery, and his explorations helped to shape the world we know today. He is remembered as a brave and adventurous explorer who helped to open up new lands and new opportunities for the Portuguese people.