Pedro %C3%81lvares Cabral

Pedro lvares Cabral was a Portuguese nobleman, military commander, navigator and explorer regarded as the discoverer of Brazil. Cabral conducted the first substantial exploration of the northeast coast of South America and claimed it for Portugal. While details of Cabrals early life are unclear, it is known that he came from a minor noble family and received a good education. He was appointed to head an expedition to India in 1500, following Vasco da Gamas newly opened route around Africa. The object of the undertaking was to return with valuable spices and to establish trade relations in Indiabypassing the monopoly on the spice trade then in the hands of Arab, Turkish and Italian merchants. Although the previous expedition of Vasco da Gama to India, on its sea route, recorded signs of land west of the southern Atlantic Ocean , Cabral is regarded as the first captain who ever touched four continents, leading the first expedition that united Europe, Africa, America, and Asia.

Little is certain regarding Pedro lvares Cabrals life before, or following, his voyage which led to the discovery of Brazil. He was born in 1467 or 1468the former year being the most likelyat Belmonte, aboutkilometres from presentday Covilh in central Portugal. He was a son of Ferno lvares Cabral and Isabel Gouveiaone of five boys and six girls in the family. Cabral was christened Pedro lvares de Gouveia and only later, supposedly upon his elder brothers death in 1503, did he begin using his fathers surname. The coat of arms of his family was drawn with two purple goats on a field of silver. Purple represented fidelity, and the goats were derived from the family name . However, only his elder brother was entitled to make use of the family arms.

Source: Wikipedia