Evolution of the Portuguese Empire


This article is a comprehensive list of all former possessions of Portugal.

Europe

Portuguese founded factories in various places in Europe, with a purely commerce-focused strategy, different from the other continents.

Africa

Portuguese presence in Africa started in 1415 with the conquest of Ceuta and is generally viewed as ending in 1975, with the exception of the Madeira autonomous region, still under Portuguese sovereignty, located in the African Plate.

Asia-Pacific

India was reached by the Portuguese in 1498 by Vasco da Gama. Macau was the last possession in Asia and was handed over to the People's Republic of China in 1999.

Middle East

Indian Subcontinent

Colonies

Trading Posts

East Asia

Southeast Asia

  • Ayutthaya: portuguese settlement
  • Bassein/Pathein/Cosmim : Expelled by the Burmese
  • Cambodia : Joint Spanish-Portuguese invasion against the Siamese occupation of cambodia; ultimately failed.
  • Portuguese East Indies. Colonial dependency of Goa ; Subordinated to Macao ; Independent colony ; Subordinated to Macao ; Subordinated to Goa ; Overseas province ; Subordinate to Macao ; Independent colony ; Overseas province ; Unilateral Independence and Indonesian Occupation ; UN Administration.
  • Calapa : Port granted to the Portuguese by the Hindu Sunda Kingdom in return for military support against their Muslim neighbors. Lost to the Dutch.
  • Malacca: colony.
  • Muar Fortress.
  • Forts in Maluku Islands:
  • * Fort in Galala.
  • * Fort in Batu Merah.
  • * Fort Victoria : fort - 1576–1605.
  • * Fort in Ullath : ? - 1565.
  • * Fort Kastela : fort and village - 1522-1575.
  • * Reis Magos Fort : fort - 1578–1605.
  • * Fort in Jailolo : ? - 1570.
  • * Fort in Mamuya : ? - 1570.
  • * Fort in Tafasoho : 1602-1603.
  • Makassar ; portuguese settlement and important commercial center; lost to the Dutch.
  • Pacem : Occupied, then quickly abandoned.
  • Timor: claimed and partially possessed from 1520 to 1640.
  • Cupão/Kupang: Trading post. Taken by the Dutch in 1613
  • Flores Island: possession. Sold the island to the Dutch East Indies
  • Solor: possession.
  • Fort Solor/Forte de Nossa Senhora da Piedade de Solor
  • Portuguese Timor: colony subordinate to Portuguese India ; subordinate to Macau ; separate colony ; overseas territory ; republic and unilateral independence proclaimed, annexed by Indonesia. UN administration from 1999 until independence in 2002.
  • Ilha de Ataúro : Granted to the Portuguese by the Dutch in 1859.
  • Martaban: Factory
  • Pattani: factory
  • Syriam/Thanlyin: possession. Ruled by Filipe de Brito e Nicote.

South America

Brazil was explored and claimed in 1500, and become independent in 1822. Unlike the Spanish, the Portuguese did not divide their possession in South America in several vice-royalties.