Diogo Cão - Portuguese Explorer

Diogo Cão was a Portuguese navigator and explorer best known for his exploits during the 15th century in a time known as

Age of Discovery. He mapped the coast of the east Africa in his two voyages and founded several settlements in today's Angola.

He was born around 1450 in Vila Real, Portugal as a illegitimate son of a Royal house nobleman (Cão Alvaro Fernandes or

Gonçalves Cão).

His first voyage started in 1482 just after the Portugal King John II established exploratory fleet with the purpose to

navigate waters of lands between Europe and India and off course to Americas.

Diogo Cão explored the African coast beyond the equator discovering

the mouth of river Congo and Angola (Portuguese West Africa).

His second journeys happened from 1484 to 1486 where Cão again visited African coast

around equator up to Cape Cross in Namibia.

He also sailed up the river of Congo.

Exact fate of Diogo Cão is not known. According to one source he died on River Congo, but there is speculation that he

died during the journey back to Portugal.