Question

1. by the late 1400s, what four major nations were taking shape in western europe? 14. what does secular mean? 15. what was the compass and astrolabe used for? 16. who sailed around the south tip of africa in 1488? 17. who was the first sailor to reach india?

Explanation:

1. By the late 1400s in Western Europe, England, France, Spain, and Portugal were emerging as major nations due to factors like political - centralization and territorial consolidation.
2. "Secular" refers to being separate from religious or spiritual concerns, often related to worldly or non - religious matters.
3. The compass was used for navigation to determine direction, and the astrolabe was used for measuring the altitude of celestial bodies, aiding in navigation and time - keeping.
4. Bartolomeu Dias sailed around the south tip of Africa in 1488.
5. Vasco da Gama was the first sailor to reach India by sea, opening up a new trade route.

Answer:

1. England, France, Spain, Portugal
2. Separate from religious concerns
3. Compass for direction, astrolabe for measuring altitude of celestial bodies
4. Bartolomeu Dias
5. Vasco da Gama