Factors contributing to the European discovery of lands in the Western Hemisphere:

        As Muslims and Italians had cornered the market, the European Monarchs and merchants wanted to have a hand in it. One way to do so was to find a sea route to Asia.

        1) The desire to find new trade routes to Asia.

High demand for:

- gold 

- natural resources

- spices (nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon & pepper). Europeans had learnt to to use spices to help preserve food during winter and to cover up the taste of food that was no longer fresh.

2) An  openess to new ideas and adventures inspired by the Renaissance.

Many people were excited by the opportunity for new knowledge. Explorers saw the chance to earn fame and glory, as well as wealth.

3)  Innovations of European and Islamic origins in the art of navigation.

a) Caravel (ship):