Tiny Portugal emerged as the original leader of this effort. Lacking a coast on the Mediterranean, it was not surprising that the Portuguese sought a route to the East by rounding the tip of Africa. The most influential figure in the rise of Portuguese maritime strength was Henry the Navigator, who marshaled experts and information to found an empire.
Neighboring Spain was slower to respond to the challenge due in large part to disunity. Regional kingdoms vied with one another for supremacy, but sometimes joined forces to confront the Moors (North African Muslims who had occupied portions of Spain since the early 700s). Unification took a major step forward in 1469 when Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile; their two kingdoms were formally joined five years later, which provided Spain with the most dynamic monarchy in Europe. The Moorish presence was ended in early 1492, when the stronghold of Granada fell. Ferdinand and Isabella, known as the Catholic kings, celebrated the victory in part by expelling the Jews from Spain. This move earned high marks from the pope, but dealt a severe economic blow to the nation. The defeat of the Moors also freed the monarchs to support exploratory ventures, including those of Christopher Columbus.