kids encyclopedia robot

Caravel facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A caravel (Portuguese: caravela) is a type of small sailing ship. It is easy to maneuver. It was developed in the 15th century by the Portuguese. The Portuguese used caravels to explore the West African coast and the Atlantic Ocean. Lateen sails made the caravels fast and able to sail against the wind. Caravels were used by the Portuguese to explore oceans during the 15th and 16th centuries in the Age of Discovery.

Images for kids

  • Portuguese Caravel

    Model of a Portuguese caravel, found in the Musée national de la Marine

  • Caravela Latina - Museu Arte Antiga

    What is believed to be the most accurate depiction of a lateen caravel, featured in the 16th century Retábulo de Santa Auta, now at the National Museum of Ancient Art, in Lisbon

  • Caravela de armada of Joao Serrao

    A typical square-rigged caravel (Livro das Armadas)

  • Lisbon - Lisbonne - Lisboa 1572

    Lisbon and the Tagus (1572). Galleon in the center (one type of Portuguese galleon), carracks, galley, round caravels, and caravels (lateen), among other vessels

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Caravel Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.