USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Spain is, according to the most recent FMI estimates, the 15th largest world economy (in PPP terms), with Portugal 55th. In terms of per capita GDP (PPP) the gap is smaller, with Spain ranking 32nd and its neighbour 43rd.

Detailed explanation-2: -How did Portugal and other European nations challenge Spanish power? Portugal colonized Brazil, and other nations backed privateers and explorers. France colonized Brazil, and Portugal and others invaded Peru and New Spain. Netherlands captured the Philippines, and Portugal and others backed privateers.

Detailed explanation-3: -One of the largest empires in history, it was, in conjunction with the Portuguese Empire, the first to usher the European Age of Discovery and achieve a global scale, controlling vast portions of the Americas, Africa, various islands in Asia and Oceania, as well as territory in other parts of Europe.

Detailed explanation-4: -Portugal, in the 20th century the poorest and least developed of the western European powers, was the first nation (with Spain) to establish itself as a colonial power and the last to give up its colonial possessions.