pedro Álvares cabral was a portoguese explorer that set sail with 13 ships for india after vasca de gama's triumphant sailing around the cape of good hope and discovery the year before.

crossing the atlantic, at its narrowest point, after following the coast of africa, cabral 'accidently' bumped into brazil and was not sure if he discovered a large island, or new continent - he made landfall on the 22nd of april, and claimed the new land for portugal.

originally called true cross island (ilha de vera cruz) it eventually became the country of brazil with the discovery of brazilwood (pau-brasil) in 1511.