Line of Demarcation

The Line of Demarcation was established in 1493 by the Treaty of Tordesillas to divide newly discovered lands between Spain and Portugal. It was a virtual boundary in the Atlantic Ocean, to determine which country would control territories west of the line (primarily Spain) and which would control territories east (mainly Portugal). This division aimed to prevent conflicts over exploration rights. Over time, the line's significance diminished as new discoveries and treaties changed territorial claims, but it played a crucial role in shaping European colonization and influence in the Americas and beyond.