Evolution of the Portuguese Empire

This article is a comprehensive list of all the actual possessions of the Portuguese Empire.

Territories of the Portuguese empire

In Africa

Portuguese presence in Africa started in 1415 with the conquest of Ceuta and is generally viewed as ending in 1975, with the independence of its later colonies, although the present autonomous region of Madeira is located in the African Plate, some 650 km (360 mi) off the North African coast, Madeira belongs and has always belonged ethnically, culturally, economically and politically to Europe, some 955 km (583 mi) from the European mainland.

• Angola/Portuguese West Africa: colony (1575–1589); crown colony (1589–1951); overseas province (1951–1971); state (1971–1975). Independence in 1975.
• Arguin/Arguim: (1455–1633)
• Accra: (1557–1578)
• Cabinda: protectorate (1883–1887); Congo district (1887–1921); intendancy subordinate to Maquela (1921–1922); dependency of Zaire district (1922–1930); Intendacy of Zaire and Cabinda (1930–1932); intendancy under Portuguese Angola (1932–1934); dependency under Angola (1934–1945); restored as District (1946–1975). Controlled by Frente Nacional para a Libertação de Angola (National Liberation Front of Angola) as part of independent Angola in 1975. Declared Cabinda a Republic in 1975, but not recognized by Portugal nor Angola.
• Cabo Verde/Cape Verde: settlements (1462–1495); dominion of crown colonies (1495–1587); crown colony (1587–1951); overseas province (1951–1974); autonomous republic (1974–1975). Independence in 1975.

From Cantino planisphere of 1502.

• Ceuta: possession (1415–1640). Ceded to Spain in 1668.
• Elmina: possession (1482–1637). Captured by the Dutch West Indies Company.
• Fernando Pó and Annobón: colonies (1474–1778). Ceded to Spain in 1778.
• Portuguese Gold Coast: (1482–1642), ceded to Dutch Gold Coast in 1642
• Guiné Portuguesa/Portuguese Guinea: colony (1879–1951); overseas province (1951–1974). Unilateral independence declared in 1973, recognized by Portugal in 1974.
  • Cacheu: captaincy (1640–1879). United with Bissau in 1879.
  • Bissau: settlement under Cacheu (1687–1696); captaincy (1696–1707); abandoned (1707–1753); separate colony under Cape Verde (1753–1879). United with Cacheu in 1879.
• Madagascar: southern part (1496–1550)
• Madeira: possession (1418–1420); colony (1420–1580); crown colony (1580–1834); autonomous district (1834–1976). Made an autonomous region in 1976.
• Mascarene Islands: fortified post (1498–1540)
• Malindi: occupation (1500–1630)
• Mombassa: occupation (1593–1638); colony subordinate to Goa, capital of Portuguese India (1638–1698; 1728–1729). Under Omani sovereignty in 1729.
• Morocco enclaves
  • Aguz/Souira Guedima (1506–1525)
  • Alcácer Ceguer/El Qsar es Seghir (1458–1550)
  • Arzila/Asilah (1471–1550; 1577–1589). Restored to Morocco in 1589.
  • Azamor/Azemmour (1513–1541). City restored to Morocco in 1541.
  • Mazagan/El Jadida (1485–1550); possession (1506–1769). Incorporation into Morocco in 1769.
  • Mogador/Essaouira (1506–1510)
  • Safim/Safi (1488–1541)
  • Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué/Agadir (1505–1541)
• Moçambique/Portuguese East Africa: possession (1498–1501); subordinate to Goa (1501–1569); captaincy-general (1569–1609); colony subordinate to Goa (1609–1752); colony (1752–1951); overseas province (1951–1971); state (1971–1974); local transitional administration (1974–1975). Independence in 1975.
• Ouadane (1487)
• Quíloa (1505–1512)
• São João Baptista de Ajudá: colonial fort (1680-c.1700); fort subordinate to the Portuguese colony of Brazil (1721–1730); fort administered by colonial governor (1730-1858) subordinate to Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe (1865–1869). Fort re-established under separate administration (1872-1961). Annexed by Dahomey in 1961.
• São Tomé and Príncipe/São Tomé e Príncipe: crown colony (1753–1951); overseas province (1951–1971); local administration (1971–1975). Independence in 1975.
  • São Tomé: possession (1470–1485); colony (1485–1522); crown colony (1522–1641); administration under Dutch occupation (1641–1648). French occupation in 1648.
  • Príncipe: colony (1471–1753). United with São Tomé in 1753.
• Tangier: possession (1471–1662). Ceded to England in 1662.
• Zanzibar: possession (1503–1698). Became part of Oman in 1698.
• Ziguinchor: possession (1645–1888). Ceded to France in 1888.

North Atlantic and North America

From Reinel-Lopo Homem Atlantic chart of 1519.

The Azores were discovered early in the Discovery Ages. Labrador and Corte-Real brothers later explored and claimed Greenland and eastern modern Canada from 1499 to 1502.

• Azores: colonies (1427–1766); captaincy-general (1766–1831); autonomous districts of Angra do Heroismo, Horta and Ponta Delgada (1831–1976). Made an autonomous region in 1976.
• Greenland: (1499/1500–?) possession claimed by João Fernandes Labrador in 1499 or 1500. Seen as claimed in the Cantino planisphere of 1502, Reinel-Lopo Homem chart of 1519 and Reinel map of 1535.
• Land of the Corte-Real: (1501–?) claimed after the voyages of the Corte-Real brothers.
  • Terra Nova (Newfoundland): (1501–?) claimed by Miguel and Gaspar Corte-Real, latter by João Álvares Fagundes. Also known as Terra Nova dos Bacalhaus (Land of Codfish).
  • Labrador (1499/1500–?): claimed by the Corte-Real brothers and maybe by João Fernandes Labrador.
  • Nova Scotia (1519?–?): explored and claimed by João Álvares Fagundes.

In Central and South America

From Vaz Dourado atlas of c. 1576

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.

• Barbados: Possession known as Os Barbados, discovered by Pedro Campos in 1536 being an exile post for Brazilian Jews. The only Caribbean possession the Portuguese held for eighty-four years until Portugal abandoned the island to continue exploring nearby Brazil.
• Brazil: possession known as Ilha de Santa Cruz, later Terra de Vera Cruz (1500–1530); colony (1530–1714); vice-kingdom (1714–1815); kingdom united with the Kingdom of Portugal (1815–1822), independence in 1822.
• Cisplatina (Uruguay): occupation (1808–1822). Captaincy in 1817 (of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves). Adhered as a province of the new Empire of Brazil in 1822. Became independent 1827, changing its name to Uruguay.
• French Guiana: occupation (1809–1817). Restored to France in 1817.
• Nova Colónia do Sacramento: colony in present Uruguay (1680; 1683–1705; 1715–1777). Ceded to the Spanish Empire in 1777.

In Asia and Oceania

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.

• Aden: protectorate (failed in 1510; 1516–1538)
• Bahrain: possession (1521–1602). Driven out by a native revolt and occupied by Persian troops.
• Ceylon: colony (1597–1658). Dutch took control in 1656, Jaffna taken in 1658.
• Flores Island: possession (16th-19th century). Sold the island to the Dutch East Indies.
  • Solor: possession (1520–1636)
• Gamru/Bandar Abbas: possession (1506–1615). Conquered by Persian forces.
• Hormuz/Ormuz: possession subordinate to Goa (1515–1622). Captured by a joint force between the Persia and the English East India Company.
• Laccadive Islands/Lakshadweep (1498–1545). Driven out by its native inhabitants.
• Macau/Macao: settlement (1553–1557), leased territory subordinated to Goa (1557–1844); overseas province (1844–1883); combined overseas province with Portuguese Timor under Goa (1883–1951); overseas province (1951–1976); Chinese territory under Portuguese administration (1976–1999). Returned to full sovereignty of People's Republic of China as a special administrative region in 1999.
  • Coloane: occupation in 1864
  • Taipa: occupation in 1851
  • Ilha Verde: incorporated in 1890
  • D. João, Lapa and Montanha Islands: settled by Portuguese missionaries in the 19th century; occupation by Portuguese troops in 1938. Taken in 1941 by the Empire of Japan and restored to China in 1945.
• Makassar (1512–1665); lost to the Dutch
• Malacca: settlement (1511–1641); lost to the Dutch
• Maldives: possession (1518–1521, 1558–1573)
• Maluku Islands
  • Amboina/Ambon: settlement (1576–1605)
  • Ternate: settlement (1522–1575)
  • Tidore: colony (1578–1605). Seized by Dutch in 1605.

From an anonymous atlas c.1550

• Muscat: possession (1515–1650)
• Índia Portuguesa/Portuguese India: overseas province (1946–1962). Taken over by India in 1962 and recognised by Portugal in 1974.
  • Baçaim/Vasai: possession (1535–1739)
  • Bombaím/Mumbai: possession (1534–1661)
  • Calicut/Kozhikode: settlement (1512–1525)
  • Cambay/Khambhat: possession
  • Cannanore/Kolathunadu: possession (1502–1663)
  • Chaul: possession (1521–1740)
  • Chittagong: possession (1528–1666)
  • Cochin/Kochi: possession (1500–1663)
  • Cranganore/Kodungallur: possession (1536–1662)
  • Damão/Daman: acquisition in 1559. Became part of overseas province in 1946. Taken over by India in Dec 1961.
  • Diu: acquisition in 1535. Became part of overseas province in 1946. Taken over by India in Dec 1961.
  • Dadra: acquisition in 1779. Taken over by India in 1954.
  • Goa: colony (1510–1946). Became part of overseas province in 1946. Taken over by India in Dec 1961.
  • Hughli/Hugli: possession (1579–1632)
  • Nagar Haveli: acquisition in 1779. Taken over by India in 1954.
  • Masulipatnam/Machilipatnam (1598–1610)
  • Thanlyin: possession (1599–1613)
  • Mangalore (1568–1659)
  • Negapatam/Nagapattinam (1507–1657)
  • Paliacate/Pulicat (1518–1610). Occupied by the Dutch in 1610.
  • Coulão/Kollam: possession (1502–1661)
  • Salsette Island: possession (1534–1737). Conquered by the Marathas.
  • São Tomé de Meliapore/Mylapore: settlement (1523–1662; 1687–1749)
  • Surat: settlement (1540–1612)
  • Tuticorin/Thoothukudi (1548–1658)
• Socotra: possession (1506–1511). Became part of Mahri Sultanate of Qishn and Suqutra
• Qatar: possession (1517–1538). Lost to the Ottomans
• Timor: claimed and partially possessed from 1520 to 1640.
  • West Timor: part of Timor lost to the Dutch in 1640.
  • Portuguese Timor: colony subordinate to Portuguese India (1642–1844); subordinate to Macau (1844–1896); separate colony (1896–1951); overseas territory (1951–1975); republic and unilateral independence proclaimed, annexed by Indonesia (1975–1999, UN recognition as Portuguese territory). UN administration from 1999 until independence in 2002.

Present-day countries with territories once part of the Portuguese Empire

The Portuguese empire spread over time throughout a vast number of Territories that are now part of more than 70 different Sovereign States, many of which did not exist as they are, at the time.

Region	States	Countries with Territories part of the Portuguese Empire
Africa	38 States	Dark Blue: Countries with at least one Territory (anachronistic) part of the Portuguese Empire. Light Blue: Countries with at least one Claimed territory (anachronistic) part of the Portuguese Empire
North America	3 States
Central and South America	7 States
Europe	2 States
Asia and Oceania	23 States

In Europe

	Now part of	Name of territory
	Portugal	Portugal
	Spain	Cáceres, Trujillo, somes parts of Galiza (lost by 1168); Hermisende (lost in 1640); Olivenza, Táliga and Villareal (lost in 1801).

In Africa

	Now part of	Name of territory
	Angola	Portuguese West Africa
	Benin	Ouidah
	Cameroon	Rio dos Camarões
	Cape Verde	Cape Verde
	Comoros	Grande Comore
	Republic of the Congo	Kingdom of Kongo
	Democratic Republic of the Congo	Kingdom of Kongo
	Eritrea	Massawa (Matzua)[1]
	Ethiopia	Amba Senayt
	Equatorial Guinea	Bioko, Annobón (Fernando Pó and Annobón)
	The Gambia	James Island, Albreda, San Domingo[2][3]
	Ghana	Accra, Elmina, Portuguese Gold Coast
	Gabon	Kingdom of Kongo, Outposts at the mouth of the Ogooué River[4]
	Guinea-Bissau	Portuguese Guinea
	Guinea	Area in the vicinity of Portuguese Guinea
	Ivory Coast	Sassandra
	Kenya	Malindi, Mombassa
	Liberia	Cape Mesurado
	Madagascar	Madagascar (southern part), Tôlanaro
	Malawi	Southern Malawi. Later claimed as part of Pink Map
	Mauritania	Arguin, Ouadane
	Mauritius	Mauritius, Rodrigues
	Morocco	Tanger, Souira Guedima, Alcacer Ceguer, Arzila, Azamor, Mazagan, Mogador, Safim, Agadir
	Mozambique	Portuguese East Africa
	Namibia	Cape Cross (claimed). Later Caprivi Strip claimed as part of the Pink Map[5]
	Nigeria	Benin City
	France	Réunion
	Senegal	Ziguinchor
	Sierra Leone	Bunce Island
	Somalia	Mogadishu, Barawa, Berbera (Somaliland)
	São Tomé and Príncipe	São Tomé and Príncipe
	Tanzania	Kilwa Kisiwani, Zanzibar
	Togo	Agbodrafo
	Western Sahara	Cape Bojador, Ras Nouadhibou
	Zambia	Luangwa, Portuguese Prazos in the beyond Zumbo upstream Kafue and Luangwa rivers. Later (19th century) most of current Zambia claimed as part of Pink Map
	Zimbabwe	Mutapa, Manicaland. Later (19th century) most of current Zimbabwe claimed as part of Pink Map
	United Kingdom	Saint Helena, Ascension Island
	South Africa	Mossel Bay (claimed), KwaZulu-Natal (claimed), Santa Lucia (claimed)
	Spain	Ceuta, Canary Islands

North Atlantic and North America

	Now part of	Name of territory
	Canada	Terra Nova (Newfoundland), Labrador, Nova Scotia
	France	Saint Pierre and Miquelon
	Denmark	Greenland

In Central and South America

	Now part of	Name of territory
	Argentina	Area east of Paraná river, today Misiones, Entre Ríos and Corrientes provinces.
	Barbados	Barbados
	Chile	Upper Peru (pt)
	Bolivia	Upper Peru (pt)
	Peru	Upper Peru (pt)
	Brazil	Brazil
	Colombia	Area south of Rio Negro up to Japurá River (claimed, border undefined), Area south of Guayabero River and Guaviare River up to Putumayo River (claimed)
	Guyana	Branco River valley (Roraima)
	France	French Guiana
	Paraguay	Settlements today in Missiones, Itapúa, Alto Paraná and Ñeembucú departments. Lost to Spain by the Treaty of El Pardo
	Uruguay	Uruguay

In Asia and Oceania

	Now part of	Name of territory
	Bahrain	Bahrain
	Bangladesh	Chittagong
	Burma	Thanlyin
	East Timor	East Timor
	Hong Kong	Tuen Mun District
	India	Portuguese India (Vasai, Bombaím/Mumbai, Calicut/Kozhikode, Cambay/Khambhat, Cannanore/Kolathunadu, Chaul, Cochin/Kochi, Cranganore/Kodungallur, Damão/Daman, Diu, Dadra, Goa, Hughli/Hugli, Nagar Haveli, Masulipatnam/Machilipatnam, Mangalore, Negapatam/Nagapattinam, Paliacate/Pulicat, Coulão/Kollam, Salsette Island, São Tomé de Meliapore/Mylapore, Surat, Tuticorin/Thoothukudi), Laccadive Islands/Lakshadweep
	Indonesia	Flores, Solor, Makassar, Ambon, Ternate, Tidore, West Timor
	Iran	Bandar-Abbas, Hormuz, Qeshm, Larak
	Iraq	Basra
	Japan	Dejima, Nagasaki
	Kuwait	Kuwait
	Macau	Macau
	Malaysia	Malacca
	Maldives	Maldives
	Oman	Muscat, Muttrah, Sohar, Qurayyat, Qalhat, Barka, As Sib, Khasab, Madha
	Pakistan	Gwadar, Thatta
	People's Republic of China	Hengqin New Area, Ningbo, Sanchuang
	Qatar	Qatar
	Saudi Arabia	Qatif, Tarut
	Singapore	Temasek
	Sri Lanka	Portuguese Ceylon
	Thailand	Junkceylon, Portuguese Village in Ayutthaya
	United Arab Emirates	Dibba Al-Hisn, Khor Fakkan, Julfar (Ras al-Khaimah), Bidiyah, Kalba
	Vietnam	Hoi An
	Yemen	Aden, Socotra

See also

• European colonization of the Americas
• History of Portugal (1415–1542)
• History of Portugal
• Timeline of Portuguese history
• Global empire

References

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