Vasco da Gama - Facts for Kids

Early Life & Background

Vasco da Gama was born around 1460 or 1469 in Sines, Portugal, where his father was the governor of the castle.

Vasco da Gama’s full name was Dom Vasco da Gama, and he became the 1st Count of Vidigueira.

Vasco da Gama grew up in a noble family in Portugal, and he learned about sailing from the busy seaports near his home.

Vasco da Gama was part of a big family with five brothers — Paulo, João Sodré, Pedro, Aires, and Vasco himself — and one sister named Teresa.

Vasco da Gama was born in Sines, a small port town in Portugal, so he probably saw ships and boats from the sea near his home.

Vasco da Gama grew up during an exciting time when Portugal was becoming famous for exploring the seas.

Education & Development

Vasco da Gama probably studied mathematics and navigation in the town of Évora, Portugal, which helped prepare him for his future sea voyages.

Career & Achievements

Vasco da Gama became the first European to reach India by sea in 1498.

Vasco da Gama’s first voyage to India took over a year — he left in July 1497 and didn’t come back until 1499.

Vasco da Gama commanded a fleet of four ships on his historic first journey to India.

Vasco da Gama’s flagship on his first voyage was called São Gabriel, and it was one of two new ships specially built for that expedition.

Vasco da Gama was the first European to sail from Portugal to India by sea, proving the ocean route around Africa really worked.

Vasco da Gama established important trading relationships between Portugal and India.

Vasco da Gama made three major voyages to India during his lifetime.

Vasco da Gama was named Viceroy of Portuguese India in 1524 — that means he was made the top Portuguese official in India.

Vasco da Gama’s voyages helped create the Portuguese Empire in Asia.

Vasco da Gama traveled more than 24,000 miles (roughly 38,600 km) on his first journey to India.

Navigation & Exploration

Vasco da Gama used the stars and special tools to find his way across the ocean.

Vasco da Gama sailed around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, which was very dangerous.

Vasco da Gama named a few places on his voyages, like Natal in South Africa, but most lands he visited already had local names.

Vasco da Gama used the monsoon winds to help his ships sail across the Indian Ocean.

Vasco da Gama visited some ports and coastal towns that Portuguese and other Europeans had never reached before.

Vasco da Gama learned about new navigation techniques from Arab sailors.

Vasco da Gama sailed on ships that were carefully built for long ocean voyages, using strong hulls, good sails, and durable materials.

Cultural Encounters

Vasco da Gama met many different peoples and learned about their customs.

Vasco da Gama traded with merchants from Africa, Arabia, and India.

Vasco da Gama brought back spices, jewels, and silk from his voyages to India.

Vasco da Gama tasted new spices and foods in places like India that many people in Europe had never tried before.

Vasco da Gama brought gifts for kings and rulers in the places he visited — for example, to the Zamorin of Calicut in India — to show respect and try to make friends.

Vasco da Gama’s voyages spread Portuguese ideas, language, and religion to new places, while local cultures kept many of their own traditions too.

Ships & Technology

Vasco da Gama’s fleet had big, strong ships called carracks for long ocean trips and a smaller, fast caravel to help explore new places.

Vasco da Gama carried advanced navigation tools like astrolabes and quadrants.

Vasco da Gama’s ships had special storage areas for fresh water and food.

Vasco da Gama used the latest maps and charts available in his time.

Vasco da Gama’s fleet had about 170 men on board when it left Lisbon in 1497.

Vasco da Gama carried special flags and symbols to identify his ships as Portuguese.

Vasco da Gama’s ships had cannons for protection against pirates.

Vasco da Gama’s ships had special wooden carvings on their bows, often showing saints or religious symbols. These figureheads were meant to protect the ship and bring good luck on their long journey across the seas.

Daily Life at Sea

Vasco da Gama and his crew ate dried fish and ships’ biscuits on their voyages.

Vasco da Gama gave his sailors fresh fruit, like oranges and lemons, when they could get it to help them stay healthy and fight scurvy.

Vasco da Gama held regular prayer services on his ships.

Vasco da Gama kept strict discipline among his crew members.

Vasco da Gama celebrated special occasions with music and dancing on board.

Personal Life

Vasco da Gama married Catarina de Ataíde and had six sons and one daughter.

Vasco da Gama lived in a beautiful house in Portugal between his voyages.

Legacy & Impact

Vasco da Gama’s route to India was used by sailors for hundreds of years.

Vasco da Gama helped make Portugal one of the richest countries in Europe.

Vasco da Gama’s voyages changed the way people traded goods between Europe and Asia.

Vasco da Gama’s discoveries are celebrated in Portuguese poetry and literature.

Vasco da Gama has many schools and buildings named after him in Portugal.