Who led the Age of Exploration that began in the 1400s?

The Age of Exploration, which began in the 1400s, was primarily led by the Portuguese. This period is marked by European nations seeking new trade routes and territories, spurred on by advances in navigation and shipbuilding. The Portuguese were at the forefront of this movement, driven by figures like Prince Henry the Navigator, who played a crucial role in encouraging exploration along the African coast and into the Atlantic.

The Portuguese developed new navigational techniques and pioneered expeditions that led to the discovery of sea routes to India and the East Indies, significantly impacting global trade. Their establishment of trading posts and settlements along the coasts of Africa and Asia laid the groundwork for future exploration by other European powers. This early leadership in exploration set the stage for a broader European engagement with the world, but it was the Portuguese who first ventured into the unknown with organized exploration efforts during this significant historical period.