The Portuguese had an unrivaled knowledge of sailing conditions in the Atlantic and halfway down the African coast. There had been developments in ship design, rigging, and seamanship which made it possible to contemplate long-distance trips in stormier seas than the Venetians encountered in the Mediterranean. Under the leadership of Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal took the principal role during most of the fifteenth century in searching for a route to Asia by sailing south around Africa. In the process, the Portuguese accumulated a wealth of knowledge about navigation and the geography of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Portuguese had unrivaled knowledge of the sailing conditions in the Atlantic since they tried to find a route to Asia by sailing south around Africa.
Because they were low with factories and lacked food and transportation. They also depended on selling tobaco to Europe countries butthe North blocked their transportation.
