Answer:
The correct answer to the question: The first European to sail the new all-water route around Africa to the Orient was:___, would be: Bartolomeu Dias.
Explanation:
It must be remembered that in the 15th century, and beyond, Europe had lost all contact through trade with the Far East, especially India and China, due to the blockade that had been set by the Ottoman Empire over land. As such, many European nations were desperate to find new ways around this blockade and they attempted the sea. This is how in 1488, Bartolomeu Dias, a Portuguese explorer, initiated the voyage that would turn him into the first European to sail through the seas to round the very tip of Africa (Cape of Good Hope) and find the way right towards India. Vasco da Gama´s expedition came later, and while Dias established the steping stones for more voyages to later take place, da Gama, thanks to, and in company of Dias, reached the coasts of India.
