This lesson, one of four stand-alone lessons that examine Australia as an aspect of world history, points out that Australia's unique geographic characteristics and history serve as a useful case study of key global concepts. The lesson focuses on exploration and control of trade routes during the Age of Discovery. The lesson has two parts. In part one, students learn about Portuguese maritime exploration beginning in the late 1500s. The Portuguese dominated the spice trade between Europe and East Asia in the 15th and 16th centuries. In part two, students learn about Dutch and British exploration. The Dutch supplanted the Portuguese, and the British took control of commerce in the area after the 1768 expedition of Captain James Cook. The lesson contains a teacher introduction, three handouts, suggested activities for each part, and follow-up activities. (BT)