Bartolomeu Dias is credited with the discovery in 1488 of the sea route around the southern tip of Africa, specifically the Cape of Good Hope (originally named the Cape of Storms). This was the first time a European navigator successfully rounded this southernmost point of Africa, demonstrating that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans were connected and that a sea route to Asia around Africa was possible
. His voyage disproved the earlier belief that the Indian Ocean was landlocked and opened the way for future expeditions, notably Vasco da Gama's voyage to India, which established a direct maritime trade route between Europe and Asia
. Dias' discovery significantly changed the map of the known world at the time and enabled the expansion of European trade and influence into Asia
. In addition to rounding the Cape, Dias explored parts of the eastern coast of Africa, claimed lands for Portugal by erecting stone crosses, and identified important wind patterns useful for navigation around southern Africa
. His expedition lasted about 15 months and covered over 16,000 miles, after which he returned to Portugal as a celebrated hero
. In summary, Bartolomeu Dias discovered the sea route around the southern tip of Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, which was crucial for establishing a maritime path from Europe to Asia
