Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira (; c. 1460s – 24 December 1524), was a Portuguese explorer and the first European to reach India by sea. His initial voyage to India (1497–1499) was the first to link Europe and Asia by an ocean route, connecting the Atlantic and the Indian oceans and therefore, the West and the Orient. Da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India was significant and opened the way for an age of global imperialism and for the Portuguese to establish a long-lasting colonial empire in Asia. Traveling the ocean route allowed
Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics 'A' Standard, and 1 at the 'B' Standard). Four Portuguese judoka (three men and one woman) qualified for the 2004 Summer Olympics. Portuguese sailors have qualified one boat for each of the following events. Two Portuguese shooters qualified to compete in the following events: Portuguese swimmers earned qualifying standards in the following events (up to a maximum of 2 swimmers in each event at the A-standard time, and 1 at the B-standard time): Portugal sent a single triathlete to Athens. Portugal at the 2004 Summer Olympics Portugal competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, from 13 to 29