Here we are on December 31, 1499 and it’s been a exciting last century! Portugal and Spain have been sending out expeditions and reaching far beyond their shores. This reporter would name it “The Age of Discovery.” Both countries have been establishing new trade routes and extended the reach of their empires.

These national powers are reaching out as a result of the Turks shutting down the overland trade routes to Asia. The trade routes have been reported to have gold, silver, spices, trinkets and perfumes. Spices, trinkets and perfumes are all very expensive. In addition, these countries want to set up settlements to extend their empires.

Portugal has really taken the lead with Prince Henry and his navigation school for sailors. Spain is not far behind. Although Portugal has the better trained sailors, Spain had the better charts, supplies and maps. Of course, not wanting to follow each other, each empire has taken a different route. Spain went West while Portugal went East. Portugal got ahead when Vasco de Gama sailed South and East around the tip of Africa to India. When Columbus sailed West to find the “New World”, he kept records of each navigation move, then brought it back to Spain. Who knows which empire will become more powerful as time goes on.

With Spain and Portugal establishing new trade routes, it is an opportunity for the merchants to benefit. They have the chance to set up trade settlements. These merchants make good money from selling traded things because they take the price and double it. They sometimes even triple the price!

During Spain and Portugal’s voyages, of course, they have encountered natives. Both countries are mostly Catholic, so they have set up missions in the settlements. As a tribute to God, they have also sent priests try to convert the natives. There have been reports of killings when natives refuse to convert.

Now here’s the big question, how did these countries get to these far away places if the Turk shut down the land routes? By sea of course! Travel by sea can have its up’s and down’s. It is hard to travel by sea because the food quickly turns bad, people get sick and die, and there are a lot of germs and bugs on the ship. The good part about sea is that you don’t ever have to worry about crossing land, heat or drop of temperature, a bumpy road and so on. (They did get rough waves and storms sometimes.)

Sea travel does have another challenge – navigation. With no land marks, sailors use the stars and a compass to navigate. A compass is a little circle that has the points North, South, East and West. The needle always points North so you can find your way.