The first to navigate a route to India by sea was the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. In 1498, he successfully sailed around the southern tip of Africa, known as the Cape of Good Hope, and reached the shores of India, specifically the port city of Calicut. This monumental voyage opened a sea route between Europe and Asia, facilitating trade in spices and other goods. Da Gama's expedition had a profound impact on global trade networks, effectively initiating the Age of Discovery and establishing Portuguese dominance in the Indian Ocean.