## Explorers Who Traveled to the East Coast of Africa
The east coast of Africa has been a crossroads of trade and exploration for centuries. From ancient times, traders from Arabia, India, and China sailed to East Africa to trade for gold, ivory, and spices. In the 15th century, Portuguese explorers arrived on the east coast of Africa, seeking a route to India. They established trading posts and forts along the coast, and eventually controlled much of the Indian Ocean trade.
In the 19th century, European explorers began to explore the interior of East Africa. They were motivated by a desire to find the source of the Nile River, and to explore the vast, unknown territories of the African continent.
### Ancient Explorers
Ancient Egyptians – The ancient Egyptians were among the first people to explore the east coast of Africa. They sailed to the Red Sea coast and established trading posts there. They also explored the Nile River, and may have even reached as far south as present-day Sudan.
Phoenicians – The Phoenicians were a seafaring people from the Levant who established trading colonies throughout the Mediterranean Sea. They also sailed to the east coast of Africa, and may have even reached as far south as Madagascar.
Greeks – The Greeks were another seafaring people who explored the east coast of Africa. They established trading posts along the coast, and may have even reached as far south as Mozambique.
Romans – The Romans were the last of the ancient empires to explore the east coast of Africa. They established trading posts along the coast, and may have even reached as far south as Tanzania.
### Medieval Explorers
Arabs – The Arabs were the first people to establish a permanent presence on the east coast of Africa. They began trading with the local Bantu peoples in the 7th century, and by the 10th century, they had established a number of trading posts along the coast. In the 13th century, the Arabs founded the city of Mogadishu, which became a major center of trade and learning.
Indians – The Indians also began trading with the east coast of Africa in the 7th century. They established trading posts along the coast, and by the 10th century, they had established a number of Indian communities in East Africa.
Chinese – The Chinese also began trading with the east coast of Africa in the 7th century. They established trading posts along the coast, and by the 10th century, they had established a number of Chinese communities in East Africa.
### European Explorers
Portuguese – The Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore the east coast of Africa. They arrived in the 15th century, seeking a route to India. They established trading posts and forts along the coast, and eventually controlled much of the Indian Ocean trade.
Dutch – The Dutch arrived on the east coast of Africa in the 17th century. They established trading posts along the coast, and competed with the Portuguese for control of the Indian Ocean trade.
French – The French arrived on the east coast of Africa in the 18th century. They established trading posts along the coast, and competed with the Portuguese and Dutch for control of the Indian Ocean trade.
British – The British arrived on the east coast of Africa in the 19th century. They established trading posts along the coast, and eventually controlled much of the Indian Ocean trade.
### African Explorers
Ibn Battuta – Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan explorer who traveled to the east coast of Africa in the 14th century. He visited Mogadishu, Mombasa, and other coastal cities. He also traveled to the interior of East Africa, and visited the Great Lakes region.
Mungo Park – Mungo Park was a Scottish explorer who traveled to the east coast of Africa in the 18th century. He explored the Gambia River, and followed it to its source in the Fouta Djallon highlands. He also explored the Niger River, and followed it to its mouth in the Gulf of Guinea.
David Livingstone – David Livingstone was a Scottish explorer who traveled to the east coast of Africa in the 19th century. He explored the Zambezi River, and discovered Victoria Falls. He also explored the Great Lakes region, and helped to open up the interior of East Africa to European exploration.
The east coast of Africa has a long and rich history of exploration. From the ancient Egyptians to the modern-day explorers, people have been drawn to the region’s beauty, its resources, and its people.