The Azores: Portugal's Mid-Atlantic Stepping Stones

The History of Portugal: The Small Nation That Built a Global Empire — Fexingo History · Aug 17, 2026 · 6m · transcript

Before the caravels reached India, Portugal had to master the Atlantic. This episode focuses on the Azores—nine volcanic islands discovered in the 1420s and colonized over the following century. We trace the arrival of the first settlers, the role of Flemish and Moorish prisoners, the development of a wheat economy, and the strategic importance of the islands as a waypoint for ships returning from the Carreira da Índia. We also explore the legend of Antília and the lost island of Seven Cities, the volcanic eruption at Capelinhos in 1957, and how the Azores became a crucial link in…