What advantages allowed Spain and Portugal to expand overseas first?

Answer 1

The main advantage for these two nations was their geography. Both countries, of course, are at or near the Straits of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic. This is a very strategic place and was even more strategic back in these days. In the times just before overseas exploration, a great deal of trade with the Orient (the Middle East and beyond) came through the Mediterranean. Spain and Portugal could prevent any other nation's ships from passing through the Mediterranean if they wanted to. Portugal, in particular, also benefited from having a tradition of seafaring because of its geographical location (Italy and Germany, for example, would not have had much reason to go out in the open ocean). It also benefited from having a more stable monarchy than some other countries that could have been competitors. Portugal first, in the early 1400's. When Spain began, with Columbu's first voyage in 1492, Portugal had already discovered the Sea Route around Africa to Asia and discovered most islands of the Atlantic, explored the entire western african coast and part of the east coast. So Portugal pioneered in 1415, Spain followed its footsteps almost 80 years after...Because Portugal was a stable and solid country since the early 1200's and Spain didn't even exist until 1492 when several kingdoms were united under the name "Spain" (Galicia, Catalunya, Leon, Asturias, Navarre, etc). Well first the Spanish and Portuguese had the advantage of being geography near the coast in Western Europe so they have easy accesses towards the Americas. Another factor was their navy and sailors willing to explore, these government both encourage and funded exploration. The main factor was that both were politically and religiously stable internally,so energies and resources could be directed outwardly in exploration,rather than being used up internally in political and religious unrest. They both were the developing economies of the time. The need to find more trade routes for their ships to hasten their development was their primary drive.

Answer 2

Spain and Portugal took the lead in the world of exploration because, they had a small numerous gropus in charge of trades from Africa and other countries.

Answer 3

Power, possession of land and wealth