Final answer:
Bartolomeu Dias was the first European to round the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa in 1487, which opened up new navigation routes and influenced future exploration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Cape of Good Hope was rounded in 1487 by Bartolomeu Dias. He was the first European to sail around the cape, marking a significant era in navigation and exploration by opening up new routes for future explorers. This historic event occurred nearly a decade before Vasco da Gama's journey to India, further solidifying Portugal's position in the lucrative spice trade by reaching the so-called Spice Islands, today part of Indonesia.