Jason Stultz, age 15, of Chester, Pa., for his question:

WHO WAS HENRY THE NAVIGATOR?

A hundred years before Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, the fifth son of Portugal's King John I was born. The prince had great scientific interest and he grew up to be known as Henry the Navigator. He made many important geographical discoveries.

On an expedition against the Moors in 1415, Prince Henry first became interested in the then unknown Africa.

Because Italy led the way in much exploration, Prince Henry imported Italian sea captains and map makers for his expeditions. His ships then carefully charted the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores. He also discovered Caps Verde and the Cape Verde Islands.

Henry founded a school for navigation and built an observatory. He also developed a way to make better maps than had been available.

Henry the Navigator's scientific efforts made possible the very important voyage of Vasco da Game to India and also led to the discovery of Brazil.