What regions were explored under Prince Henry the Navigator?

Prince Henry the Navigator didn't personally explore any regions. He was a patron of exploration, meaning he funded and organized voyages. While he never left Portugal himself, his efforts led to the exploration of the western coast of Africa.

Here's a breakdown of the regions explored under his patronage:

* The Azores: These islands were discovered in the 15th century and became an important staging point for Portuguese voyages further south.

* The Madeira Islands: These islands, located about 600 miles southwest of Portugal, were discovered and colonized under Henry's sponsorship.

* The Canary Islands: While these islands were already under Spanish control, Portuguese explorers sailed to them as part of their southward push.

* The West African coast: This was the main focus of Henry's exploration. His voyages gradually mapped the coastline from Cape Bojador south, reaching as far as Sierra Leone and exploring the Senegal River.

These explorations were crucial for Portugal's rise as a maritime power, opening up new trade routes, establishing colonies, and eventually leading to the discovery of the sea route to India.