Diogo Gomes

Diogo Gomes was a Portuguese explorer who is best known for his role in the discovery of the Cape Verde Islands in 1460. He was born in 1420 in the Portuguese city of Porto and was the son of a wealthy merchant. He was educated in the arts and sciences and was an avid sailor.

Gomes first set sail in 1445, when he joined a Portuguese expedition to explore the African coast. He was part of a team of explorers led by the famous Portuguese explorer, Gil Eanes. During this expedition, Gomes and his team explored the coast of West Africa, reaching as far south as the Gulf of Guinea. They also explored the islands of Cape Verde, which were previously unknown to Europeans.

In 1460, Gomes was part of a second expedition to explore the African coast. This time, he was the leader of the expedition. He and his team explored the coast of West Africa, reaching as far south as the Cape Verde Islands. Gomes and his team were the first Europeans to set foot on the islands, and they named them after the Portuguese explorer, Diogo Gomes.

Gomes and his team explored the islands for several months, mapping the coastline and making contact with the local inhabitants. They also collected samples of plants and animals, which they brought back to Portugal. Gomes’s expedition was a success, and it opened up the Cape Verde Islands to European exploration and colonization.

Gomes continued to explore the African coast for the next few years, reaching as far south as the Congo River. He also explored the islands of the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Cuba. In 1470, Gomes returned to Portugal and was appointed as the captain of the Portuguese fleet. He continued to explore the African coast and the Caribbean until his death in 1482.

Gomes’s legacy lives on today. He is remembered as one of the most important explorers of the 15th century, and his discoveries helped to open up the African coast and the Caribbean to European exploration and colonization. His exploration of the Cape Verde Islands also helped to establish Portugal as a major power in the region. Gomes’s legacy is still remembered today, and his name is still associated with the islands he discovered.