|
|
Article: Industrialists of the floating world. (Society of Chemical Industry European chemical industry annual meeting in Lisbon, Portugal)
- Article from:
- Chemistry and Industry
- Article date:
- October 19, 1992
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1992 Society of Chemical Industry. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
There's nothing quite like establishing your own empire in order to stimulate international trade. Just ask the Portuguese.
In the early 15th century, Henry the Navigator founded his seafaring school at Sagres in southern Portugal, paving the way for Vasco de Gama, Magellan and a host of other explorers who pushed their way to Africa, India and South America amid religious fervour, imperial greed and just a little curiosity. So began the expansion of Europe.
Today, navigating the whirlpools of international trade politics in air-conditioned conference rooms offers little of the excitement of rounding the Cape of Good Hope in a caravelle. Nevertheless, the trade ...