The initial reason many Europeans began to explore, particularly during the Age of Exploration in the late 15th century, was primarily economic. Europeans were seeking new trade routes to access valuable Asian goods such as spices, silks, and precious metals. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the subsequent control of trade routes by the Ottoman Empire made traditional overland routes more difficult and expensive. As a result, European nations aimed to find alternative sea routes to the East.
Additionally, the quest for wealth was often coupled with a desire for territorial expansion, competition among emerging nation-states, and the spread of Christianity. These factors collectively motivated explorations that led to the discovery of new lands and the establishment of colonies.
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