Sea in culture of barbarian invaders and knowledge of geography took a backward step. In the seventh century, Isidore of Seville produced a "wheel map" in which Asia, Africa and Europe were arranged like segments in an orange, separated by the "Mare Mediterranean", "Nilus" and "Tanais" and surrounded by "Oceanus". It was not until the fifteenth century that Ptolemy's maps were used again and Henry the Navigator of Portugal initiated ocean exploration and maritime research. Encouraged by him, Portuguese navigators explored, mapped and charted the west coast of Africa and the Eastern Atlantic and this knowledge prepared the way for the great voyages
Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia operational and logistical shore service support of Navy Region Southwest Asia (which included NSA Bahrain), along with Camp Lemonnier, in Djibouti, Africa, was realigned under the scope of Navy Region Europe. On April 21, 2009, Navy Region Europe officially changed its name to Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia. As an Echelon III Commander, Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia reports directly to the Commander, Naval Installations Command for the operation and readiness of the following subordinate commands/installations: Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) is one of eleven current naval regions