Indian Ocean Ocean, ultimately reaching the coastal countries of East Africa. In 1497 Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope and became the first European to sail to India (with the help of an Indian sailor) and later the Far East. The European ships, armed with heavy cannon, quickly dominated trade. Portugal achieved pre-eminence by setting up forts at the important straits and ports. Their hegemony along the coasts of Africa and Asia lasted until the mid 17th century. Later, the Portuguese were challenged by other European powers. The Dutch East India Company (1602–1798) sought control of trade
European route E01 in Portugal European route E01 in Portugal The European route E01 in Portugal is a series of roads, part of the International E-road network running on a north south axis on the west coast. It starts at the Spanish border in the north at Valença going almost perfectly south passing by several major Portuguese cities like Porto and Lisbon until the border with Spain again at Castro Marim. The route starts at the border town of Valença at the Minho river coming from the Spanish city of Vigo in the Norte Region. It follows Portuguese highway A3 by Braga to the second