Vasco da Gama

Worksheet Description

Long ago, there was a bold explorer named Vasco da Gama from a sunny country called Portugal. Back in those days, people loved spices like pepper and cinnamon, but getting these spices was tricky because they came from faraway lands. Vasco had a big dream: he wanted to find a direct sea route from Europe to India, where many of these spices came from.

The King of Portugal, hearing about Vasco’s idea, gave him a task. He asked Vasco to find this sea route to India. In 1497, Vasco set out on his first big voyage with four ships. The journey was not easy. The seas were rough, the winds were wild, and there were many unknown dangers. But Vasco was brave and determined.

His trip was filled with adventures. He sailed around the southern tip of Africa, a place called the Cape of Good Hope, which no European had done before in search of India. After many months at sea, and facing many challenges, Vasco and his crew finally reached the shores of India in 1498. They were welcomed by the people there, and Vasco managed to get the precious spices to take back to Portugal.

When Vasco returned home, he was treated like a hero. Everyone was amazed by his journey and the treasures he brought back. The sea route he discovered was very important because it made trading easier and faster. Before Vasco’s voyage, people had to travel over land for many months to trade with India. But now, thanks to Vasco, they could sail directly by sea!