When historians investigate how the Spanish and Portuguese built their empires, they notice point ) the Spanish and Portuguese did not follow advice from the Catholic Church when they began exploring there are no similarities between these countries ' empire -building efforts many similarities between how the two countries engaged in this process Oneither country was successful in building empires in the age of exploration .

When historians investigate how the Spanish and Portuguese built their empires, they notice many similarities between how the two countries engaged in this process. Both Spain and Portugal did not follow advice from the Catholic Church when they began exploring. They sought to expand their power and wealth by establishing colonies and dominating trade routes. They relied on navigational and cartographic advancements to explore and conquer new territories, such as the use of the astrolabe and the caravel. Additionally, both countries used brutal tactics in dealing with indigenous populations and enforced strict colonial administrations. Despite some differences in their approaches, the Spanish and Portuguese empires shared common goals of colonization, exploitation, and control. However, it is important to note that while both countries were successful in establishing vast colonial holdings, they also faced challenges and limitations in maintaining and sustaining their empires in the age of exploration.