Bartolomeu Dias

Bartolomeu Dias
Statue of Dias at the High Commission of South Africa in London
Born	ca. 1450 Faro District, Portugal
Died	( 1500 -05-29)29 May 1500 (aged approximately 50) South Atlantic Ocean, near the Cape of Good Hope
Nationality	Portuguese
Other names	Bartholomew Diaz
Occupation(s)	Navigator and explorer
Known for	Being the first European mariner to round the southern tip of Africa

Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese mariner and explorer. In 1488, he became the first European navigator to round the southern tip of Africa and to demonstrate that the most effective southward route for ships lies in the open ocean, well to the west of the African coast. His discoveries effectively established the sea route between Europe and Asia.