Historically, geography is the impetus for the formation of distinct countries in most cases. However, this seems not to be the case with Portugal. How did they remain independent from spain?
2006-08-30 16:19:57 · 13 answers · asked by Ejsenstejn 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Spain was formed from the combination of several kingdoms, including Castille and Aragon. Portugal managed to avoid being absorbed into this because of their determination to remain independent. It didn't hurt to have a treaty with England to protect this independence. (That treaty is still around and one of the longest still in existence.)
2006-08-30 16:41:02 · answer #1 · answered by Ѕємι~Мαđ ŠçїєŋŧιѕТ 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
How do Mexico, Canada and the United States remain separate countries? There is no geographical impetus for the formation of these countries.
Portugal was at one time a powerful nation - more powerful than Spain. It had its own language and its own culture. There was no reason for it to amalgamate with Spain. Nor do
Portugese today see any reason to consider such a union.
In fact, geography was not the impetus for the formation of distinct countries in most cases. Think of the Germanies. Until the time of Hitler, Austria, Prussia and Germany were separate countries. But there are no geographic boundaries between them. The Czech and Slovakian countries were independent until the Russian juggernaut swallowed up so many of the smaller countries in Europe.
Portugal exists as a separate country because it does not consider itself to be remotely like Spain.
2006-08-30 16:30:52 · answer #2 · answered by old lady 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
To answer this question, you need to look back into Iberian history.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Iberia was controlled mainly by Visigoths (to the centre and east), Suevi (along the western coast), and Basques/Kelts (a small portion in the north).
The main theories about the diverse Iberian cultures are as follow:
1) Each of these groups (and others later on) merged with the Roman population and created their own cultures, therefore dividing Iberia into ethnicities which are the predecessors of modern Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Galician, Asturian, Basque, and Andalucian.
2) In the time of the Reconquista, c. 850 A.D. - 1496 A.D., there was a general ethnic discrimination of the people in the former 'Arabic' lands, even if their ancestors were always Castillian. This classification caused the people in those lands to see themselves differently, neither Castillian nor Arabic: a third culture.
I hope you found this answer useful :)
2014-08-26 06:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lisbon is Europe's second-oldest capital and when house to the world's best explorers like Vasco da Gama, Magellan and Prince Henry the Navigator, getting the initial true earth city, the capital of an empire distributing over all continents, from South America (Brazil) to Asia (Macao, China; Goa, India) and know you can spend several time to understand this traditional town, with hotelbye is where you need to start. The most recognized of Lisbon's important attractions could be the St. George's Castle. That fortress commands a wonderful place near Alfama on the crown of a mountain overlooking the Portuguese capital. This really is among Lisbon's most widely used tourist destinations. Their outstanding battlements, interesting memorial, and exciting archaeological website combine to help make the castle a rewarding experience for the whole family, and young ones especially will cherish clambering within the sturdy surfaces and systems that encircle the grounds.
2016-12-20 14:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Portugal in times was the greatest country in the world.
Some time ago this Portugal was property of Spain, but through fights they got their independence. Since that moment they grew a lot, becoming, at the time, the largest and richer country in the wide world. Portugal was the first country to explore the world by the sea, and then Spain copied them. Since then Spain wanted Portugal back, so they fought for it, and although they had more people to fight than Portugal, Portuguese people were smart and they managed a way of winning those battles, and they did indeed.
Now a days Portugal has given all their lands freedom (unlike Spain), and although Portugal is not that great anymore, Portugal has, for example, one of the best health cares in the world, and one of the old and rich cultures in the world.
And by the way, Portugueses speak spanish, and spanish people dont speak portuguese, and by the way, the country of Portugal is older than Spain (b**** please).
AND PORTUGUESE IS ONE OF THE MOST SPOKEN LENGUAGES ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!!
2014-03-11 06:27:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Spain isn't too old of a country, it was formed in the 1500's when Aragon and Castille joined forces due to a marriage between their monarchs. Portugal wasn't a part of that equation.
2006-08-30 17:32:03 · answer #6 · answered by chris 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Portugal is older than Spain!!! Portugal formed in 868 A.D. They claimed independence in 1128, but it was officially recognized in 1143. Technically, Portugal is the third oldest country in Europe. Needless to say, Spain formed in the 15th century.
2006-08-31 06:24:53 · answer #7 · answered by Mo 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
There is a language barrier there. Not only that, but they are totally different cultures. That's like saying why does Canada or Mexico exist.
2006-08-30 16:26:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal
2006-08-30 16:27:34 · answer #9 · answered by Mac 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
h
2016-02-13 16:28:37 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋