Caravel
Definition
A caravel is a small, fast Spanish or Portuguese sailing ship from the 15th–17th centuries. They were primarily used for oceanic exploration voyages during these periods.
Analogy
Consider caravels as sports cars of their time - sleek, fast, able to navigate difficult terrains (or seas), making them perfect for long-distance exploration trips just like sports cars are great for thrilling rides!
Related terms
Galleon: Larger type of ship that was heavily armed; it was used especially by Spanish fleets during late Middle Ages.
Sextant: An instrument used for measuring angular distances between objects and especially for taking altitudes in navigation.
Astrolabe: An ancient device used before sextants were invented; it helped sailors determine latitude at sea by measuring the angle between the horizon and a celestial body like the sun or stars.
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