Get Portugal: Tales Of Being And Not Being1

From 1415, Portugal began an expansionist movement that took its language and culture to the five continents, extending the country's territory to the Azores and Madeira archipelagos and establishing a colonial regime in several African countries, East Timor and even India.

One of the most known legends in Portugal, it tells the tale of Queen Isabel's kindness. The Queen helped the poorer people of the land every day, taking them money and other alms. A nobleman let King Dinis know about how much the Queen gave to the churches and to the poor, convincing him to end her charitable nature.

Portugal was founded in 1143, year of the Zamora's Treaty signing. The treaty, agreed upon by D. Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, and Alphonse the VII of León and Castile, recognized Portugal as an independent kingdom. In 1179 that status was confirmed by Pope Alexander the III.

Following its heyday as a world power, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in the earthquake of 1755, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.

Portugal was founded in 1143, year of the Zamora's Treaty signing. The treaty, agreed upon by D. Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, and Alphonse the VII of León and Castile, recognized Portugal as an independent kingdom. In 1179 that status was confirmed by Pope Alexander the III.

The Portuguese empire fell because it was very difficult to control a large empire across the globe and there was a lot of competition from other, richer and more powerful European states like the Netherlands, England, and France who also wanted to create their empires.

Neighbouring Portugal acquired independence in 1668 after revolt and war protracted by the stubborn determination of Philip IV to maintain his patrimony. This small country had suffered since 1580 from its Spanish connection.