The Age of Exploration had a profound impact on global trade, leading to the establishment of new trade routes and the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. European explorers, such as Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama, connected continents, facilitating the trade of spices, silk, precious metals, and other commodities. This era led to the Columbian Exchange, which introduced crops and livestock to new regions, transforming diets and economies. While it significantly enriched European economies, it also resulted in the exploitation and colonization of indigenous populations, altering social structures and contributing to the global imbalance of power that persists today.