The Indies


This is a Sixteenth Century Portuguese map showing the all important destination of the Spice Islands. Europe's maritime nations were highly envious of the Portuguese technology and knowledge which allowed them to import the highly lucrative spices back to Europe in the holds of Portuguese ships. The Spanish sought a route to the Spice Islands sailing westwards only to collide with the New World. The English attempted to find its own route by searching, forlornly, for a North-West passage.


Timelines | 16th Century Timeline


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by Stephen Luscombe