(Originais Teachy 2023) - Question Very Easy of History

The European maritime expansion, which began in the 15th century, was a complex process that involved various actors and factors. One of the main drivers of this movement was the search for new trade routes that could bypass the monopoly of trade with the East, which was held by Italian merchants. This situation stimulated the exploration of alternative sea routes, driven by technological innovations and geographical knowledge. Based on this context, identify one of the pioneering countries in maritime expansion and briefly explain how its geographical location favored the start of this process.