Definitions for "Treaty of Tordesillas"
Keywords:  portugal, spain, brazil, east, africa
Treaty between Spain and Portugal that divided the South American continent (among other lands) between the two countries. Ratified in 1494, it originally gave Spain much more land than Portugal.
Agreement between the monarchs of Spain and Portugal to divide the world between them by drawing a line through the Atlantic Ocean, 1494.
torduh sEEl yäs, - sEE-] Signed in 1494 between Castile and Portugal; clarified spheres of influence and rights of possession in New World; reserved Brazil and all newly discovered lands east of Brazil to Portugal; granted all lands west of Brazil to Spain. (p. 596)