Chronology of European exploration of Asia

European exploration of Asia began during the Age of Exploration in the 15th and 16th centuries. This was a period of time when people from Europe set out on long voyages to explore and find new lands. During this time, European explorers went around the world and made contact with many cultures and kingdoms. One of the first major expeditions was led by the Italian explorer Marco Polo in the 13th century, when he visited China, India and other countries in the region. This was followed by explorations by Spanish and Portuguese explorers, who reached India and the East Indies in the 16th century. Dutch and British explorers then followed, with the British eventually dominating India in the 18th century. They also reached places like Australia, New Zealand and the Americas. By the end of the 19th century, European countries had explored and mapped most of Asia.