THE MODERN ERA: THE EARLY EXPLORATIONS OF THE SEA

We know that Christopher Colombus (his image on the left) was the first man that sailed the Atlantic sea trying to find a new sea route to the Indies.
However, he was not the only sailor exploring the seas. In fact, there was a boom of explorations thanks to the new tools and techniques that made navigation safer and faster.The caravel (a new ship) started to be used. (if you click on the name, a video will display)
The astrolabe and the compass were among others, some instruments that the early explorers used to determine their routes, fixing their position according to the stars. If you want to know a bit more about how they managed, watch this interesting video and read this entrace from the Water Encyclopedia.

maps

Besides, there was a better knowledge of geography thanks to the cartography (the science of map making) and portolans, which gave more accurate information of coasts.

The Caravel

the compass

Here you have some exercises to practise concepts we have seen so far. Useful for the exam you are going to take soon.


Exercise 1 (match pictures and concepts)
Exercise 2 (vocabulary crosswords)
Exercise 3 (concept. Fill in the gaps)
Exercise 4 (match concepts and definitions)