Age Exploration was a period in Earth's history that is typically referred to as either the Age of Exploration or the Great Geographical Discoveries. This era spans the 15th to 17th centuries. The primary goal of European age exploration was to explore the world's oceans and establish direct trade routes with the East (Asia), primarily seeking goods such as spices, gold, silver, pearls, and jewels. This exploration was also driven by other motives, including, expanding knowledge of geography, spreading Christianity, establishing colonies, gaining prestige and power, and searching for potential allies against the dominant Ottoman Empire