Final answer:
Prince Henry the Navigator from Portugal was instrumental in advancing the Age of Discovery in the fifteenth century, sponsoring explorations along the African coast and leading to the establishment of Portuguese trade dominance in the region. Option 1.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal was the driving force of his kingdom's overseas ventures in the fifteenth century. His commitment to the advancement of exploration greatly contributed to the Age of Discovery.
Under his guidance, Portugal established a prominent maritime capability, which was significantly advanced by the use of technologies like the compass, the astrolabe, and the innovative ship design known as the caravel.
Portuguese explorers, supported by Prince Henry's investments, navigated an eastward route to Africa, allowing them to set up trading posts along the West African coast and asserting Portugal's presence in the Indian Ocean trade.
Prince Henry the Navigator's establishment of a school for navigational studies in Sagres was pivotal for the development of these explorations, and by facilitating the colonization of islands such as the Madeira and the Azores, he laid the groundwork for an expansive Portuguese trade empire.
So option 1.