FAQ About Ferdinand Magellan
What was the Treaty of Tordesillas and how did it relate to Magellan's voyage?
The Treaty of Tordesillas was an agreement between Spain and Portugal, signed in 1494, which divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the two empires along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands. Although it predated Magellan's voyage, this treaty influenced his journey as it delineated areas of exploration and influence for the Spanish and Portuguese crowns, allowing Magellan, sailing for Spain, to seek a western route to the Spice Islands.
