<P> Pedro Álvares Cabral ( European Portuguese : ( ˈpeðɾu ˈaɫvɐr ( ɨ ) ʃ kɐˈβɾaɫ ) or Brazilian Portuguese : ( ˈpedɾu ˈawvaɾis kaˈbɾaw ) ; c. 1467 or 1468 -- c. 1520 ) was a Portuguese nobleman , military commander , navigator and explorer regarded as the European discoverer of Brazil . In 1500 Cabral conducted the first substantial exploration of the northeast coast of South America and claimed it for Portugal . While details of Cabral 's early life remain unclear , it is known that he came from a minor noble family and received a good education . He was appointed to head an expedition to India in 1500 , following Vasco da Gama 's newly - opened route around Africa . The undertaking had the aim of returning with valuable spices and of establishing trade relations in India -- bypassing the monopoly on the spice trade then in the hands of Arab , Turkish and Italian merchants . Although the previous expedition of Vasco da Gama to India , on its sea route , had recorded signs of land west of the southern Atlantic Ocean ( in 1497 ) , Cabral is regarded as the first captain who ever touched four continents , leading the first expedition that united Europe , Africa , America , and Asia . </P>
<P> Pedro Álvares Cabral ( European Portuguese : ( ˈpeðɾu ˈaɫvɐr ( ɨ ) ʃ kɐˈβɾaɫ ) or Brazilian Portuguese : ( ˈpedɾu ˈawvaɾis kaˈbɾaw ) ; c. 1467 or 1468 -- c. 1520 ) was a Portuguese nobleman , military commander , navigator and explorer regarded as the European discoverer of Brazil . In 1500 Cabral conducted the first substantial exploration of the northeast coast of South America and claimed it for Portugal . While details of Cabral 's early life remain unclear , it is known that he came from a minor noble family and received a good education . He was appointed to head an expedition to India in 1500 , following Vasco da Gama 's newly - opened route around Africa . The undertaking had the aim of returning with valuable spices and of establishing trade relations in India -- bypassing the monopoly on the spice trade then in the hands of Arab , Turkish and Italian merchants . Although the previous expedition of Vasco da Gama to India , on its sea route , had recorded signs of land west of the southern Atlantic Ocean ( in 1497 ) , Cabral is regarded as the first captain who ever touched four continents , leading the first expedition that united Europe , Africa , America , and Asia . </P>
who discovered brazil while exploring for the portuguese
who discovered brazil while exploring for the portuguese
Pedro Álvares Cabral
Pedro Álvares Cabral