Alvise Cadamosto led the first Portuguese exploration of the Gambia River.

In 1455, Portuguese explorers, led by Alvise Cadamosto, became the first Europeans to explore the Gambia River, marking a significant moment in the history of European exploration in West Africa. This expedition opened the door to European interest in the region, which would later evolve into the establishment of trade routes and colonial interests. Although the Portuguese did not establish significant trade in The Gambia, their exploration laid the groundwork for future European powers to engage with the area. The British Empire would later establish a colony in The Gambia in 1765, further solidifying European presence in the region. The Gambia eventually gained independence in 1965, two centuries after the initial Portuguese exploration, under the leadership of Dawda Jawara, who became the first president of the newly independent nation. The exploration of the Gambia River by the Portuguese is a pivotal event that highlights the early interactions between Europe and West Africa, setting the stage for centuries of colonialism and trade that would follow. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #PortugueseExploration #GambiaRiver #EuropeanColonialism #WestAfricaHistory #TradeRoutes