Gonçalo Coelho is a Portuguese explorer who is best known for his role in the discovery of Brazil. He was born in 1450 in the Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo and was the son of a wealthy merchant. He was educated in the court of King Afonso V and was a skilled navigator and sailor.
At the age of twenty-five, Coelho was chosen by King Afonso V to lead an expedition to explore the coast of Africa. He was accompanied by his cousin, Pêro Vaz de Caminha, and the two men sailed from Lisbon in 1482. They explored the coast of Africa and eventually reached the Cape Verde Islands. From there, they sailed south and eventually reached the coast of Brazil.
Coelho and Caminha were the first Europeans to set foot on the Brazilian coast. They explored the area and made contact with the local indigenous people. They also collected samples of plants and animals, which they sent back to Portugal.
The expedition was a success and Coelho and Caminha returned to Portugal in 1484. King Afonso V was so pleased with their discoveries that he rewarded them with titles and lands. Coelho was given the title of Count of Vidigueira and was granted a large estate in the Algarve region of Portugal.
In 1485, Coelho was chosen to lead another expedition to explore the coast of Brazil. This time, he was accompanied by his brother, Diogo Dias, and the two men sailed from Lisbon in 1486. They explored the coast of Brazil and eventually reached the mouth of the Amazon River.
Coelho and Dias were the first Europeans to explore the Amazon River. They sailed up the river and eventually reached the city of Belém. They also explored the tributaries of the Amazon and made contact with the local indigenous people.
The expedition was a success and Coelho and Dias returned to Portugal in 1488. King Afonso V was so pleased with their discoveries that he rewarded them with titles and lands. Coelho was given the title of Count of Vidigueira and was granted a large estate in the Algarve region of Portugal.
Coelho’s explorations of the coast of Brazil and the Amazon River were instrumental in the Portuguese colonization of the region. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Portuguese exploration.
Gonçalo Coelho died in 1510 at the age of sixty. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Portuguese exploration. His legacy lives on in the many places that bear his name, such as the city of São Gonçalo in Brazil and the Gonçalo Coelho State Park in Portugal.