Pêro de Alenquer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pêro de Alenquer
19th-century imagined portrait of Pêro de Alenquer
Born	Alenquer, Kingdom of Portugal
Occupation	Explorer

Pêro de Alenquer was a famous Portuguese explorer from the 1400s. He explored the coast of Africa.

Pêro was born in a town called Alenquer in Portugal. He became a skilled sailor and navigator.

A Great Explorer's Journeys

Pêro de Alenquer was an important person in the Age of Discovery. This was a time when European explorers sailed to new parts of the world. They wanted to find new trade routes and lands.

Sailing with Bartolomeu Dias

In 1487, Pêro de Alenquer joined Bartolomeu Dias on a very important trip. They sailed around the southern tip of Africa. This journey proved that ships could go around Africa to reach Asia. It was a huge step for sea travel.

The place they sailed around is now called the Cape of Good Hope. It was a difficult and dangerous part of the journey. Pêro's skills as a pilot were very important for this success.

Guiding Vasco da Gama to India

Later, Pêro de Alenquer was chosen for an even bigger adventure. He was the main pilot for Vasco da Gama's first trip to India. This voyage started in 1497.

Pêro guided Vasco da Gama's main ship. They sailed all the way from Portugal, around Africa, and across the Indian Ocean. They reached India in 1498. This opened up a new sea route for trade between Europe and Asia. Pêro even wrote about his experiences on this historic journey.

Pêro de Alenquer's work helped Portugal become a strong sea power. His skills as a navigator changed how people traveled and traded across the world.