Compare the regions and methods of Spanish and Portuguese exploration

1) Portuguese started explorations long before Spaniards. Usually historians speak about conquest of Ceuta (1415) as the beginning of Portuguese expansion. They started the exploration much sooner because their reconquista was completed sooner (in 13th century the king Affonso III conquered Algarve), 2) Portuguese sailed along African coast and then to the Orient whereas Spaniard focused to Americas, 3) Portuguese (because of their limited number) conquered distant regions by means of racial blending which was not so typical of Spaniards, 4) Portuguese were able maintain colonies in Africa during many centuries and the same can be said about Asia (Damao, Diu, Goa in India, Macao in China), 5) Spaniards lost their last colonies in a war with another power (USA, it was Spanish-American war) whereas Portuguese were defeated by indigenous populations during 1960s and 1970s process of decolonization).

Explanation: Portuguese colonial empire is rightfully called the oldest colonial empire of all. This empire lasted so long also thanks to Oliveira Salazar who was able to collaborate with the western powers (GB, France, USA): for example Portugal was a member of NATO from the very beginning (1949). Spain, on the contrary, was very isolated after the WW II (at that time Spain kept only three embassies: Portugal, Argentina, Vatican).

b toward the volcano.landward. the landward side of something is the side nearest to the land or facing the land, rather than the sea.