Portugal Pioneered, the first global empire in history from the 15th Century and embarked on some great voyages of discovery. Throughout this period of exploration, it develops strong maritime technology. Its navigation and cartography advances helped to establish outposts overseas.
At the height of its empire in 1498, Vasco da Gama reached India making Portugal the center of Commerce with the East. Thanks to its intervention and spice trade which Venice previously monopolies.
Portugal not only dominated trade between Asia and Europe but also much of the trade within regions of Asia and South America.
In the 1540’s, John III brought Brazil under Portugal’s direct royal control. Portugal also colonizes the stretches of Africa.
During the 17th Century, the long gradual declined of the Portuguese empire begun. Other European states start to challenging its huge enemies.
In 1822, Portugal lost Brazil. A century and a half later, the colonial regime collapse and in 1999 its last colony Macau was handed back to China. The cultural successor of the empire is the community of Portuguese language countries.
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