What cultures were involved in long-distance boat expeditions in the fifteenth century? When and why did the Iberian peninsula become the focal point for global maritime exploration?

2 answers

Spain and Portugal were the primary long-distance explorers in the 1400s. Prince Henry (the Navigator) of Portugal funded ships that explored Africa's coast. He was very interested in finding a sea route to India.
is that answering the second question also or just the first?