Portugal and Spain

During the 1400's, the Portuguese became great navigators. They discovered and colonized Madeira, the Azores, and the Cape Verde Islands. In 1498 the Portuguese rounded the Cape of Good Hope, at the southwestern tip of Africa, and reached India. They founded many trading colonies in the Far East and Africa. By 1500 they reached South America and founded a settlement colony in Brazil. Brazil became independent in 1822. Portugal's African holdings achieved independence in the 1970's. Administration of Portugal's last remaining colony, Macau (near Guangzhou, China), was transferred back to China in 1999.

Spain acquired a great colonial empire after Columbus reached America in 1492. The Spaniards occupied nearly all of South America except Brazil, conquered Mexico and Central America, took over most of the West Indies, and founded settlements from Florida to California. During the 19th century Spain lost nearly all its colonies. Only two small possessions remain—Ceuta and Melilla, both in northern Africa.