Álvaro Martins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Álvaro Martins
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Álvaro Martins Homem
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Álvaro Martins statue in Angra do Heroísmo, one of the founders of the city
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| 1st Captain-Donatário of Praia | |
| In office 17 February 1474 – 1483 |
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| Monarch | |
| Preceded by | Jácome de Bruges |
| Succeeded by | Antão Martins Homem |
| Constituency | Praia |
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Álvaro Martins Homem
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| Citizenship | Kingdom of Portugal |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
Álvaro Martins, also known as Álvaro Martins Homem, was an important Portuguese explorer and leader in the 1400s. He is remembered for his journeys across the Atlantic Ocean and along the coast of Africa. He also played a big role in developing parts of the Azores islands.
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Early Journeys and Discoveries
Álvaro Martins is believed to have been part of some exciting early expeditions. One story says he traveled with another explorer, João Vaz Corte-Real, in the early 1470s. Their journey was said to be to a place called Terra Nova do Bacalhau. This name means "New Land of the Codfish," which suggests it was a place rich in fish. This trip was mentioned in a book from the 1570s called Saudades da Terra.
Exploring the African Coast
Later in his life, Álvaro Martins is also said to have joined Bartolomeu Dias on a very famous voyage. This journey, from 1487 to 1488, was when Dias became the first European to sail around the southern tip of Africa, which is now known as the Cape of Good Hope. This was a huge step in finding a sea route to Asia.
Leading the Azores: Captain of Praia
Beyond his explorations, Álvaro Martins was a key figure in the development of the Azores islands, which are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Becoming a Captain
On February 17, 1474, Álvaro Martins was given a special job: he became the "Captain-Donatário" of Praia. This was a reward for his services to Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, a powerful prince in Portugal. A "Captain-Donatário" was like a governor or a leader who was given land to develop and manage.
Developing Terceira Island
Álvaro Martins became captain after the previous leader, Jacome de Bruges, disappeared. The King of Portugal then decided to divide the island of Terceira (where Praia is located) into two parts. Álvaro Martins was given control of Praia, while João Vaz Corte-Real (his fellow explorer) became the captain of Angra.
Álvaro Martins, along with his son Antão, worked hard to build up the northern part of Terceira. They were in charge of:
- Building fortifications to protect the area.
- Helping agriculture grow, which means farming and growing food.
- Developing commerce, which means trade and business.
Thanks to their efforts, Praia and the surrounding area became more settled and prosperous.
See also
In Spanish: Álvaro Martins Homem para niños
