North Eastern Atlantic

The Atlantic west of Portugal stretches beyond Cape Roca, the westernmost point of the European mainland. The cape's high cliffs mark a turn on the coast north of the approaches to Lisbon. From that port Portuguese ships sailed around Africa to Asia after Vasco da Gama's voyage of 1497–1499, establishing a maritime route that joined the Indian Ocean to Europe. Vessels bound for Lisbon and those putting out to sea shared these waters off the long Portuguese shore.