How Old is Portugal?

When Did People Start Living in Portugal?

It is unclear exactly how long people have been living in the land that is considered Portugal today, but it is widely believed that the area was inhabited by precursors to the human race about 400,000 years ago. They were called Homo heidelbergensis, but the first civilized people to live in Portugal that left behind a writing system was the Roman Empire. The Romans invaded the Iberian peninsula in the 3rd century BC, and the invasion lasted for several years. This includes Portugal, which was also controlled by the Romans during this time. The Romans would have control of the region for several centuries, until the fall of the Roman Empire.

What Happened To Portugal Following the Fall of the Roman Empire?

The Roman Empire was eventually brought down by invading Germanic tribes during the 5th and 6th centuries. They had control of the area for a few centuries as well. The Kingdom of the Seubi and the Visigoths controlled Portgual, dividing it between them with the former controlling the north and the latter controlling the south. In the 8th century, Portugal would be conquered by the Umayyad Caliphate, which led to an era of stability in Portugal for several centuries. They would have control of the country for the better part of 400 years. Then, as the Middle Ages progressed, Portugal gained greater and greater influence in the affairs of the continent, positioning itself as a power.

What Happened To Portugal During the Renaissance?

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal solidified itself as a major European power. This was the time when Europe was busy exploring and colonizing the rest of the world, in which Portugal would play a major power. Portugal had one of the biggest empires on the planet, and it even colonized Brazil. Brazil is the largest country in South America today, and at one time, it was part of the Brazilian Empire. Unfortunately, the status of Portugal as a world power would not last forever, and by the 16th century, Portugal was already in decline, just as the British, French, and Spanish were getting warmed up. Portugal simply did not have the resources to continue its expansion, and it suffered at the hands of its more formidable foes.

What Is Portugal Like as a Modern Country?

Today, Portugal is once again a significant player in European affairs. While it is not one of the most influential countries on the continent, such as Britain, France, and Germany, Portugal is a wealthy country that is closely tied to Spain. In addition, Portugal has favorable relations with the United States, which is directly on the other side of the Atlantic. Portugal holds significant control of the Azores, which is a set of islands off the coast in the middle of the Atlantic. Portugal has an economy that is growing quickly, and it is likely going to be a major player in European affairs during the next few decades.

Date of Initial Sovereignty
1139
Years Since Initial Sovereignty
885

How Old is Portugal?

How old is Portugal?

The country of Portugal is 885 years old, founded in the year 1139.

Frequently Asked Questions