how was South America divided between Spain and Portugal
South America was divided between Spain and Portugal through the Treaty of Tordesillas, which was signed on June 7, 1494. The treaty was a result of disputes arising from Christopher Columbus' voyages to the New World, as both Spain and Portugal laid claim to the newly discovered lands.
Under the terms of the treaty, a line of demarcation was drawn from north to south, 370 leagues (approximately 1,770 kilometers or 1,100 miles) west of the Cape Verde Islands. The lands to the west of this line were designated for Spain, while the lands to the east were designated for Portugal.
However, the exact demarcation line was not accurately known at that time, and subsequent exploration led to revisions of the treaty. In 1529, the Treaty of Zaragoza was signed, which moved the line 297.5 leagues (1,770 kilometers or 1,100 miles) further west.
Despite these treaties, there were ongoing conflicts and disputes regarding the division of South America. Eventually, through colonization and conquest, Spain obtained control over most of South America, with the exception of Brazil, which remained under Portuguese control. This division of territories laid the groundwork for the languages, cultures, and political systems we see today in South America.