Mondo Knows Facts
The Treaty of Tordesillas divided non-European exploration zones
Spain and Portugal drew a meridian line to claim overseas territories in 1494
Brokered by Pope Alexander VI and signed in 1494, the Treaty of Tordesillas established an imaginary meridian line 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde Islands. Land discovered west of the line belonged to Spain, while territories to the east fell to Portugal, explaining why Brazil became Portuguese-speaking.
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Tags: treaty of tordesillas, spain, portugal
The Treaty of Tordesillas divided non-European exploration zones: the short answers
- Where does this come from, and can I check it?
- Spain and Portugal drew a meridian line to claim overseas territories in 1494. The figure is taken from The National Archives, which is linked in full on this page. Every fact on Mondo Knows names its source rather than repeating an unsourced claim.
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