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 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