The Age of Exploration, also known as the Age of Discovery, refers to the period in the 16th century when European powers explored and colonized vast areas of the world. Driven by the desire for new trade routes, wealth, and territorial expansion, explorers like Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama ventured into uncharted territories. This era resulted in significant cultural exchanges, the spread of technology, and the establishment of colonial empires. However, it also had profound consequences, including the exploitation and subjugation of indigenous peoples, the transatlantic slave trade, and the ecological disruptions that accompanied European settlement across the globe.