Final answer:
Henry the Navigator was pivotal in 15th-century navigation and exploration, aiding in the establishment of Portugal's maritime empire through expeditions along Africa's coast and beyond.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry the Navigator, a 15th-century Portuguese prince, played a significant role in the field of navigation and exploration. He was instrumental in spearheading Portugal's Age of Discovery, particularly through the exploration of the African coast and the Atlantic. Henry supported and invested in maritime endeavors, which paved the way for the nation's expansion and development of a trade empire in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.
Notably, under Prince Henry's patronage, Portuguese explorers set out to trade and spread Christianity along the coast of Africa. He founded a navigational school at Sagres, bringing together experts such as shipbuilders, cartographers, and instrument makers, who contributed significantly to the navigational advancements of the time.
Fascinated by sailing, Prince Henry's efforts enabled the Portuguese to explore new routes and eventually led to the establishment of trading posts and ports in Africa, India, and the Spice Islands, thus initiating a powerful Portuguese maritime empire.