Islamic Timeline of RevelationOpen on the timeline →Europe & colonial empiresEuropeAfricaAsiaAmericasMajor empire
Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire was one of the first global maritime empires, beginning with the capture of Ceuta in 1415 and growing through voyages around Africa to India, Brazil and East Asia. Brazil became independent in 1822 and most African colonies in 1975. The handover of Macau in 1999 ended the empire.
Key facts
| Dates | 1415 – 1999 CE |
|---|---|
| Region | Europe & colonial empires |
| Continent | Europe, Africa, Asia, Americas |
| Capitals | Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro (1808–1821) |
| Religion(s) | Catholic Christianity |
| Peak extent | ≈ 5.5 million km² (c. 1820 CE) – source |
Before & after
Preceded by
Malacca Sultanate Kilwa Sultanate Kingdom of Kongo Kingdom of Ndongo Gaza Empire Jaffna Kingdom Kingdom of Kotte Kingdom of Matamba Kasanje Kingdom
Followed by
Sources
Dates follow widely used reference works; many ancient dates are approximate or debated. Neutral summary for general reference.