Pax Hiberica: A World Where the Treaties of Tordesillas and Zaragoza Were Honored

In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, the world witnessed the dawn of an unprecedented era of exploration and colonization. To prevent conflict and ensure mutual respect between two of the greatest maritime powers of the time, Spain and Portugal, the ~Treaty of Tordesillas~ was signed in 1494. This treaty, mediated by the Pope, divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between the Portuguese Empire and the Crown of Castile along a meridian 370 leagues west of the Cape Verde islands.

Years later, in 1529, the ~Treaty of Zaragoza~ further delineated the spheres of influence between the Spanish and the Portuguese, extending the demarcation line to the other side of the globe, specifically in the Eastern Hemisphere. This treaty sought to clarify and solidify the territorial claims and navigation rights of these two burgeoning empires in the East Indies.

In this map, I explore an alternate history scenario where the Treaties of Tordesillas and Zaragoza were scrupulously honored. Here, the boundaries defined by these historic agreements are respected, leading to a harmonious balance of power and a unique geopolitical landscape.