Africa:
1. Cape Verde Islands: Portuguese explorer António de Noli discovered the Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa in 1460, leading to their colonization by the Portuguese.
2. Sierra Leone: Portuguese sailor Pedro de Sintra explored the coast of Sierra Leone in 1462, marking the first European contact with the region.
3. Gold Coast (present-day Ghana): Portuguese explorers discovered the gold-rich region of the Gold Coast in the 1470s and established trading posts along its coast.
4. Congo: In 1482, Portuguese explorer Diogo Cão reached the mouth of the Congo River and made contact with the Kingdom of Kongo, opening up diplomatic and trade relations.
Asia:
1. Cape of Good Hope: Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias reached the southernmost point of Africa in 1488, rounding the Cape of Good Hope and paving the way for the sea route to India.
2. India: Vasco da Gama's voyage to India in 1498 established a direct maritime route between Europe and India, revolutionizing trade and cultural exchange between the two regions.
3. Southeast Asia: Portuguese and Spanish explorers ventured into Southeast Asia, establishing colonies and trading posts in regions such as the Malay Archipelago, Philippines, and Moluccas (Spice Islands).
4. China: Portuguese traders reached China in the early 16th century, leading to the establishment of trading posts and cultural exchange between Europe and China.
Americas:
1. Caribbean Islands: Christopher Columbus's historic voyage in 1492 led to the European discovery of the Caribbean islands and the establishment of Spanish colonies in the region.
2. North America: Various European explorers, including John Cabot, Jacques Cartier, and Samuel de Champlain, explored the eastern coast of North America, laying the foundation for European colonization.
3. South America: Spanish and Portuguese explorers extensively explored the South American continent, leading to the colonization and exploitation of its abundant natural resources.
Pacific Ocean:
1. Magellan's Circumnavigation: Ferdinand Magellan's epic voyage in 1519-1522 resulted in the first circumnavigation of the world. They discovered the Strait of Magellan and crossed the Pacific Ocean, paving the way for further exploration.
2. Polynesia and Micronesia: European explorers, including Spanish and Dutch navigators, ventured into the Pacific Ocean and discovered numerous islands in Polynesia and Micronesia.
These discoveries during the period from 1400 to 1750 revolutionized geographical knowledge, altered global trade routes, and led to significant cultural exchanges and interactions among different regions of the world.