Which Chinese naval explorer sailed along most of the coast of Asia, Japan, India, Arabia, and Africa?

Which Chinese naval explorer sailed along most of the coast of Asia, Japan, India, Arabia, and Africa?

• A. Marco Polo
• B. Zheng He
• C. Vasco da Gama
• D. James Cook

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing the Chinese maritime expeditions that stretched across the Indian Ocean to many coastal regions. Zheng He, a admiral of the early Ming dynasty, led a series of treasure voyages from about 1405 to 1433. His fleets sailed from China into the South China Sea and then outward along the coasts of Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian littoral, and East Africa. These voyages showcased Chinese power, established tributary relationships, and brought back exotic goods, illustrating a broad span of maritime reach in that era. The other explorers listed did not undertake voyages that match this specific, large-scale maritime reach from Asia through India and Arabia to Africa from a Chinese-led expedition in the early 1400s. Marco Polo traveled by land to China in the 13th century, Vasco da Gama opened a European sea route to India in the late 15th century, and James Cook explored the Pacific in the 18th century. Zheng He is the figure whose voyages best fit the description.

The main idea here is recognizing the Chinese maritime expeditions that stretched across the Indian Ocean to many coastal regions. Zheng He, a admiral of the early Ming dynasty, led a series of treasure voyages from about 1405 to 1433. His fleets sailed from China into the South China Sea and then outward along the coasts of Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian littoral, and East Africa. These voyages showcased Chinese power, established tributary relationships, and brought back exotic goods, illustrating a broad span of maritime reach in that era. The other explorers listed did not undertake voyages that match this specific, large-scale maritime reach from Asia through India and Arabia to Africa from a Chinese-led expedition in the early 1400s. Marco Polo traveled by land to China in the 13th century, Vasco da Gama opened a European sea route to India in the late 15th century, and James Cook explored the Pacific in the 18th century. Zheng He is the figure whose voyages best fit the description.