The role of waterways in the ottoman – Portuguese conflict in the 16th Century

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City

Abstract

The research addressed the central role of water ways during the Ottoman-Portuguese conflict in the 16th century, and this is because of the importance of these corridors for eastern trade since the Mamluk period, and therefore the research reviewed the importance of the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean as waterways and recognize their geography and their role in the rivalry between the Ottoman and Portuguese sides to impose their full control over them, as the research showed the Ottoman role in addressing the Portuguese threat. The results of the research, which highlighted the importance of the strategic location of the Arab world, as it connects the three continents of the world: Asia, Africa and Europe, and showed the historical and civilizational value of the Indian Ocean as a commercial route and the discovery of the path of the Cape of Good Hope and the role it played in changing the course of eastern trade, as well as the historical and civilizational value of the Red Sea as the shortest water artery connecting the continents and also showed its defects.

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