Henry's interest in exploration was inspired by his father, who had encouraged him to study navigation and cartography. Henry also took inspiration from the writings of ancient explorers such as Pliny the Elder and Ptolemy. In the early 15th century, he established a naval observatory at Sagres, on the southwestern coast of Portugal. The observatory was equipped with the latest navigation instruments, and it became a center of learning for sailors and explorers.
Henry also organized and funded several expeditions to explore the west coast of Africa. These expeditions were hugely successful, and they helped to establish Portugal as a major power in the Age of Exploration. In 1419, one of Henry's ships reached the Canary Islands, and in 1434, another ship reached Cape Verde. In 1445, Henry's ships reached Senegal, and in 1448, they reached Sierra Leone.
Henry's expeditions not only helped to expand Portuguese territory, but they also led to the discovery of new trade routes and the acquisition of new wealth. Henry's voyages also helped to spread European knowledge of the world, and they paved the way for further exploration in the centuries that followed.
Henry's support for exploration had a profound impact on the world. His expeditions helped to shape the course of European history, and they led to the creation of a global economy. Henry is rightly considered one of the most important figures in the Age of Exploration.