The mango is the most popular fruit in the world. The origin of the mango most likely lies in the Burma-Melanesian regions of Southeast Asia. Mangoes have been cultivated for more than 4,000 years in India where the mango is traditionally appreciated as a religious object by Indians. Cultivation of mangoes slowly spread to tropical and subtropical countries. It is said that Persian sailors introduced mangoes to East Africa in the 10th century A.D., while Portuguese travelers of the 16th century brought them into West Africa and South America.