Portuguese Empire: Historical Overview of One of the Most Powerful Trading Routes in Europe

Summary

The Portuguese Empire comprised a vast network of colonies, factories, and overseas territories established by Portugal. Beginning with the capture of Ceuta in North Africa in 1415 and continuing until the handover of sovereignty over Macau to China in 1999, it stands as one of the longest-lasting empires in European history. The empire's roots can be traced back to the 15th century, and by the early 16th century, it had established a global presence with strategic bases in North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

The rise of the Portuguese Empire coincided with the dawn of the Age of Discovery, a period characterized by exploration and expansion. Following the Reconquista, which concluded in 1492, Portuguese sailors embarked on expeditions along the African coast and the Atlantic archipelagos starting in 1418. Leveraging advancements in navigation, mapping, and maritime technology, particularly the caravel—a vessel adept at oceanic travel—they aimed to uncover a sea route to the lucrative spice trade of the East. Key milestones during this era included Bartolomeu Dias’s successful rounding of the Cape of Good Hope in 1488 and Vasco da Gama’s historic arrival in India in 1498. Around 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral arrived at the shores of Brazil, either by chance or as part of a broader imperial strategy.