Indian Ocean trade Madagascar at this time leaving behind a lasting cultural and genetic legacy. Chinese fleets under Zheng He criscrossed the Indian Ocean during the early part of the 15th century. The missions were diplomatic rather than commercial, but many exchanges of gift and produces were made. The Portuguese under Vasco da Gama discovered a naval route to the Indian Ocean through the southern tip of Africa in 1497–98. Initially, the Portuguese were mainly active in Calicut, but the northern region of Gujarat was even more important for trade, and an essential intermediary in east-west trade. Venetian interests were directly threatened as
Portugal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics bronze medalist at the 2005 World Championships), who will compete for an all-time record 11th consecutive time at these Championships. Portugal at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics Portugal competed at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics from August 27 to September 4 in Daegu, South Korea. The Portuguese Athletics Federation announced a squad of 25 athletes (12 men and 13 women). Among the medal hopefuls are Nelson Évora (reigning Olympic champion in men's triple jump), Rui Silva (1500-metre bronze medalist at the 2004 Olympic Games and 2005 World Championships), Jéssica Augusto (2010 European cross-country champion and 10,000-metre bronze medalist