After rarely venturing beyond the Mediterranean, European explorers now set forth to conquer the seas beyond the Straits of Gibraltar. The 15^th century was a golden age for Portuguese exploration along the African coast towards the East Indies, and culminated with the discovery of the New World by Genoa-born Christopher Columbus, on behalf of the kingdom of Castile. Cartography played a key role in preparing, supporting and reporting on the findings of these journeys.