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The Portuguese Empire, also known as the Portuguese Overseas, was the 1st Global Empire in History, starting in 1415 with the conquest of Ceuta, over 500 years after Portugal’s foundation in 868. In addition, it was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning nearly six centuries, making it the most extended Global Empire in History.
Portuguese Conquistadors battled their way through Asia, South America, Africa, Arabia, conquering and expanding the Empire in search of wealth, settlement, gold, slaves, trade, and the spreading of Christianity. Thanks to this, Portugal held dominion over the sea lanes of the Indian and South Atlantic oceans, making its economic, military, and political power the rival of any in Europe.
Portuguese domain was present in Africa, Arabia, Brazil, Canada, Greenland, and several parts of Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, and others.
The map below shows in red the colonies that were once part of the Portuguese Empire; in pink, claimed territories once part of the Portuguese Empire. Blue indicates sea lanes under Portuguese influence and control.
At its peak, the Portuguese Empire covered 5.4 million square kilometers (2.12 million square miles) of territory.
The map below shows countries that had at least a territory under Portuguese control.
Countries that had at least a territory under Portuguese control: France (Reunion, French Guinea), Spain (Ceuta, Canary Islands), United Kingdom (St Helena. Asc Island), Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Uruguay, Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Comoros, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, East Timor, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burma, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, Yemen.
The Empire owes its size in no small part to the Portuguese. The professor, historian, and writer Rainer Daehnhardt wrote about them.
“Portuguese were the first Europeans after the Dark Ages to engage in transcultural and transoceanic warfare, equipped with a blend of nautical knowledge, superior technology, incredible courage, very few men, and great swordsmanship that proved very efficient against the curved blades of the Turks and Moors. One must be aware that the Portuguese knew they were always outnumbered, a certainty that led them to employ all their courage and determination in the fights and battles they engaged. In many cases, just mentioning the Portuguese would distress an entire army or fleet, knowing the fierceness and bravery of the Portuguese warriors.”
The final stage of decolonization of the Portuguese overseas possessions began after World War II. Portugal lost its last colony, Macao, only in 1999.
Excellent page! Unfortunately Portugal never seems to get the recognition it deserves for its one time maritime prowess! It’s always Spain this, and Spain that. Spain’s empire only appeared large after Portugal’s empire was usurped by Philip of Spain. And because of Spain’s dreadful occupation of Portugal from 1580-1640, many, many important Portuguese possessions were lost! Spain largely neglected the Portuguese Asian and some other important strongholds. Had that very unfortunate Spanish takeover of Portugal not occurred, there is no. telling how much larger Portugal’s empire would have been.
Spain’s colonies were almost all only in the Americas. Portugal had colonies on 5 continents, which readily explains why the Portuguese language is officially spoken in 5 continents today by 280 million people, making it the 6th most natively spoken language in the world ahead of: French, Russian, German, Japanese, Italian, etc. Plus, Portuguese is the most spoken language of the Southern Hemisphere, and in South America by 51% of the population. And, Portuguese is the 3rd most spoken European language.
Portuguese has become a very important language of the global economy, in fact, even the Chinese, Japanese, Indians, N. & S. Americans and Africans are studying Portuguese like never before. China is Brazil’s (Brazil has the 7th strongest world economy) biggest trading partner. China does tons of trade with the officially Portuguese speaking African countries of Angola and Mozambique, which are 2 emerging African economic powers who are rich in: oil, natural gas, gold, silver, diamonds, coffee, sugar, etc., etc. These 2 African economic powerhouses are considered to be the little Brazil’s of Africa! By contrast, many of the Spanish speaking countries are still just only modern day banana republics! That’s why they are fleeing in desperation to the US illegally from Central America and even Mexico.
And everyone wants to move to Portugal these days i.e., English, French, Germans, Dutch, Italians, Spaniards, Latin Americans, Canadians, Americans, Africans, everyone! Portugal’s fantastic climate, incredibly friendly, hospitable, helpful, mild mannered Portuguese people, beautiful scenery, world class cuisine, beaches, good standard of living, very, very low crime, great health care, laid back lifestyle, rich history, culture, beautiful, exotic language, enchanting fado music, etc., etc.! Yes, all thing Portuguese are the “New Cool!” Oh, and once you know how to speak Portuguese, you get Spanish practically for free!
Caroline u r the [cencored] as what is written is European language spoken around the world not in Europe were it’s only spoken in Portugal… just look at the size of brazil…
Portuguese is the 3rd most spoken European language after English and Spanish. Plus, Portuguese is the most spoken language of the Southern Hemisphere. And, Portuguese is the most spoken language in South America having 51% of its speakers. Additionally, Portuguese is currently the 6th most (NATIVELY) spoken language in the world! Oh, and Portuguese has more native speakers than: French, Japanese, Russian, Italian, German!
I am certain that you did not know this. Even the Chinese are learning Portuguese and study it up to the doctorate level. The following officially Portuguese speaking nations of: Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, are 3 of China’s biggest and most important trading partner nations! In fact, many countries in the world are studying Portuguese. Brazil alone has the world’s 7th strongest economy. And the above mentioned two African countries have emerging economies blessed by a rich abundance of natural resources such as: oil, natural gas, gold, silver, diamonds, coffee, sugar, and in the case of Brazil, it is a leader in aerospace engineering, computer technology, and leading automobile manufacturing, etc.
Furthermore, Portugal is considered the ‘new cool’ around the world these days. It seems that everyone wants to move there permanently! I mean, the Portuguese are considered by everyone that meets them to be very friendly, helpful, friendly, hospitable people. Portugal has one of Europe’s best climates, having the most sunny days per year of the same, world class cuisine and wines, breathtaking beaches and overall scenery, a surfer’s paradise having some o f the highest waves ever recorded (Portugal is considered to be the California of Europe). Portugal has some of the most beautiful and exotic architecture, the national music of Portugal is FADO, meaning FATE. It is hauntingly beautiful, exotic and deeply soulful, unlike any other world music. Portugal has a very good standard of living these days, a great health care, and system of education. Furthermore, Portugal has an incredibly rich history as it was once the richest, most powerful nation on earth, having, at one time, colonies all over the world!
To quote right from this page “ The Portuguese Empire, also known as the Portuguese Overseas [Empire], was the 1st Global Empire in History, starting in 1415 with the conquest of Ceuta, over 500 years after Portugal’s foundation in 868. In addition, it was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning nearly six centuries, making it the most extended Global Empire in History.In addition, it was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning nearly six centuries, making it the most extended Global Empire in History [richest and most powerful]”. Portuguese was even the lingua franca of the world, as the Portuguese controlled the spice and sugar trades for around 150 years. Portugal was the father of globalization, as it gave ‘world’s to the world!’
Excellent page! Unfortunately Portugal never seems to get the recognition it deserves for its one time maritime prowess! It’s always Spain this, and Spain that. Spain’s empire only appeared large after Portugal’s empire was usurped by Philip of Spain. And because of Spain’s dreadful occupation of Portugal from 1580-1640, many, many important Portuguese possessions were lost! Spain largely neglected the Portuguese Asian and some other important strongholds. Had that very unfortunate Spanish takeover of Portugal not occurred, there is no. telling how much larger Portugal’s empire would have been.
Spain’s colonies were almost all only in the Americas. Portugal had colonies on 5 continents, which readily explains why the Portuguese language is officially spoken in 5 continents today by 280 million people, making it the 6th most natively spoken language in the world ahead of: French, Russian, German, Japanese, Italian, etc. Plus, Portuguese is the most spoken language of the Southern Hemisphere, and in South America by 51% of the population. And, Portuguese is the 3rd most spoken European language.
Portuguese has become a very important language of the global economy, in fact, even the Chinese, Japanese, Indians, N. & S. Americans and Africans are studying Portuguese like never before. China is Brazil’s (Brazil has the 7th strongest world economy) biggest trading partner. China does tons of trade with the officially Portuguese speaking African countries of Angola and Mozambique, which are 2 emerging African economic powers who are rich in: oil, natural gas, gold, silver, diamonds, coffee, sugar, etc., etc. These 2 African economic powerhouses are considered to be the little Brazil’s of Africa! By contrast, many of the Spanish speaking countries are still just only modern day banana republics! That’s why they are fleeing in desperation to the US illegally from Central America and even Mexico.
And everyone wants to move to Portugal these days i.e., English, French, Germans, Dutch, Italians, Spaniards, Latin Americans, Canadians, Americans, Africans, everyone! Portugal’s fantastic climate, incredibly friendly, hospitable, helpful, mild mannered Portuguese people, beautiful scenery, world class cuisine, beaches, good standard of living, very, very low crime, great health care, laid back lifestyle, rich history, culture, beautiful, exotic language, enchanting fado music, etc., etc.! Yes, all thing Portuguese are the “New Cool!” Oh, and once you know how to speak Portuguese, you get Spanish practically for free!
Portuguese isn’t even in the top 10 languages in Europe, you idiot.
This piece has many falsehoods.
Caroline u r the [cencored] as what is written is European language spoken around the world not in Europe were it’s only spoken in Portugal… just look at the size of brazil…
Portuguese is the 3rd most spoken European language after English and Spanish. Plus, Portuguese is the most spoken language of the Southern Hemisphere. And, Portuguese is the most spoken language in South America having 51% of its speakers. Additionally, Portuguese is currently the 6th most (NATIVELY) spoken language in the world! Oh, and Portuguese has more native speakers than: French, Japanese, Russian, Italian, German!
I am certain that you did not know this. Even the Chinese are learning Portuguese and study it up to the doctorate level. The following officially Portuguese speaking nations of: Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, are 3 of China’s biggest and most important trading partner nations! In fact, many countries in the world are studying Portuguese. Brazil alone has the world’s 7th strongest economy. And the above mentioned two African countries have emerging economies blessed by a rich abundance of natural resources such as: oil, natural gas, gold, silver, diamonds, coffee, sugar, and in the case of Brazil, it is a leader in aerospace engineering, computer technology, and leading automobile manufacturing, etc.
Furthermore, Portugal is considered the ‘new cool’ around the world these days. It seems that everyone wants to move there permanently! I mean, the Portuguese are considered by everyone that meets them to be very friendly, helpful, friendly, hospitable people. Portugal has one of Europe’s best climates, having the most sunny days per year of the same, world class cuisine and wines, breathtaking beaches and overall scenery, a surfer’s paradise having some o f the highest waves ever recorded (Portugal is considered to be the California of Europe). Portugal has some of the most beautiful and exotic architecture, the national music of Portugal is FADO, meaning FATE. It is hauntingly beautiful, exotic and deeply soulful, unlike any other world music. Portugal has a very good standard of living these days, a great health care, and system of education. Furthermore, Portugal has an incredibly rich history as it was once the richest, most powerful nation on earth, having, at one time, colonies all over the world!
To quote right from this page “ The Portuguese Empire, also known as the Portuguese Overseas [Empire], was the 1st Global Empire in History, starting in 1415 with the conquest of Ceuta, over 500 years after Portugal’s foundation in 868. In addition, it was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning nearly six centuries, making it the most extended Global Empire in History.In addition, it was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning nearly six centuries, making it the most extended Global Empire in History [richest and most powerful]”. Portuguese was even the lingua franca of the world, as the Portuguese controlled the spice and sugar trades for around 150 years. Portugal was the father of globalization, as it gave ‘world’s to the world!’
I bet you feel like an idiot now 🙂