History of Western civilization Genovese born mariner, Christopher Columbus set out under the auspices of the Crown of Castile (Spain) to seek an oversea route to the East Indies via the Atlantic Ocean. Rather than Asia, Columbus landed in the Bahamas, in the Caribbean. Spanish colonization followed and Europe established Western Civilization in the Americas. The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama led the first sailing expedition directly from Europe to India in 1497-1499, by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, opening up the possibility of trade with the East other than via perilous overland routes like the Silk Road. Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer working
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