Most explorers' routes tend to wander due to various factors such as the need to navigate around natural obstacles like mountains, rivers, and forests. Additionally, historical maps often lacked accurate details, forcing explorers to adapt their paths based on real-time observations and local knowledge. Cultural considerations, trade routes, and the search for resources also influenced these meandering paths, making them more practical than direct.
The straight line distance from the Earth to Venus depends on their positions in their orbits. In terms of miles, Venus is 26 million miles away from the earth at its nearest, and 162 million miles at its furthest. Along these lines it would take between 49 and 308 years. Interplanetary journeys are not undertaken along such straight-line routes. Instead they follow a trajectory that is longer but requires less fuel through using the moon as a slingshot.
In the late 1400s, explorers were primarily seeking new trade routes to access valuable spices, silks, and other goods from Asia. They aimed to find direct paths to India and the East Indies to enhance commerce and reduce reliance on overland routes controlled by intermediaries. Additionally, many explorers were motivated by the desire for territorial expansion, wealth, and the spread of Christianity. The era was marked by a spirit of adventure and curiosity about the world beyond Europe.
The Mercator projection is ideal for visualizing shipping routes and compass headings on a global scale. This cylindrical projection maintains straight lines for constant compass bearings, making it easy to plot and follow navigation routes. However, it does distort sizes, particularly near the poles, but for maritime navigation, the benefits for route visualization outweigh these drawbacks.
A trader from Timbuktu would cover approximately 1,200 miles when traveling to Cairo, depending on the specific route taken. The journey typically involved crossing the Sahara Desert, which presented numerous challenges and varied distances based on the paths chosen. The trade routes were crucial for the exchange of goods, culture, and knowledge during the medieval period.
The gnomonic map projection maps into straight lines all Great Circles, even those not passing through the central point, but can present even less than one hemisphere (unless the map were of infinite size with corresponding distortions, which is obviously not possible).
Most explorers' routes appear to wander rather than travel in straight lines due to various geographical obstacles, such as mountains, rivers, and forests, which necessitate detours. Additionally, explorers often followed existing trails or navigated based on the terrain and available resources, leading to more meandering paths. The desire to explore diverse landscapes and avoid potential dangers also contributed to these winding routes.
Explorers' routes often wandered due to natural barriers like mountains, rivers, and forests that posed obstacles to direct travel. Additionally, explorers needed to navigate based on landmarks, geographical features, and available resources, which influenced the path they took. Cultural factors, such as following traditional routes or seeking interactions with local communities, also contributed to the wandering nature of exploration routes.
Explorers traveling by sea are often referred to as "maritime explorers" or "nautical explorers." Historically, they may also be known as "navigators" or "sailors," depending on their role and purpose. These individuals embarked on voyages to discover new lands, trade routes, and cultures, significantly contributing to our understanding of geography and history. Notable examples include explorers like Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan.
the routes taken by explorers for Portugal during the 1400s and early 1500s was the cape of good hope
he opened trade routes for explorers.
Asia
In search of shorter trade routes
mountain men
mountain men
Explorers often followed similar routes because they were guided by existing maps, knowledge, and trade routes. Additionally, they sought to reach common goals such as finding new trade routes, discovering new territories, and claiming resources. Cultural and political influences also played a role in shaping their exploration paths.
Because Christopher Columbus thought that by sailing west he would be able to reach Asia. What he found instead were two huge continents that later inspired other explorers, such as Vasco de Gama and Henry Hudson, to investigate the Americas. :)
Ponce De Leon and De Soto