Kingdom of kongo

Portuguese navigator Date of Birth: 01.01.1440 Country: Portugal

Content:

1. Diogo Cão: The Portuguese Explorer
2. Prelude to Exploration
3. The Discovery of the Congo River
4. Exploration of Angola
5. Unfulfilled Ambitions
6. Legacy and Impact

Diogo Cão: The Portuguese Explorer

Early Life and Royal Lineage

Diogo Cão hailed from a noble Portuguese family.

His father served King Afonso V, and his grandfather served King João I. His lineage played a significant role in his appointment as a captain in the Portuguese exploration fleet.

Prelude to Exploration

In 1481, King João II ascended to the throne and continued the maritime explorations initiated by Henry the Navigator.

Diogo Cão's mission was to extend Portugal's reach along the western coast of Africa, past the previously discovered Gold Coast.

The Discovery of the Congo River

In December 1481, Cão led an expedition to the Gold Coast.

Sailing south, he discovered the mouth of the Congo River, which he initi