The Age of Discovery began in the 15th century, when first oceanic pioneers, mainly Spanish and Portugal, took off to explore the world on an unprecedented scale. They were soon joined by other European powers, including the English, the French, and the Dutch. What started as an adventure movement to find a better route to the India turned out to be one of the most significant events in the world history, forever changing the face of the Earth. As people and good traveled in all directions, new colonies were being established, new contacts were being made, and the balance of power was being disrupted in many parts of the world. Many cultures were thoroughly destroyed (mostly by new diseases now travelling freely across the oceans), while other prospered thanks to the exotic raw materials, gold, and other resources they found in the new lands. While disastrous at times, the Age of Discovery was instrumental in boosting humanity's technological and cultural advance.