Question

Which state was more important to the early phase of European Exploration:Spain or Portugal?

Answer 1

This is a lightly tricky question because I think its a matter of perspective.  Portugal is known to have been a key player in the fifteen century when it came to navigation and during this period, they searched for a route to Asia by sailing south around Africa. In doing so they accumulated a plethora of knowledge about navigation and the geography of the Atlantic Ocean.  Most of the maps started during their era.  Where the Spanish came in was later in the century when Columbus was 'rejected' by Portugal and King Ferdinand along with Queen Isabella who had just joined Castille and Aragon decided to take a chance on him and gave him funding along with three ships for him to journey to the East Indies to bring Fame and Wealth to the name Spain (to find an alternative route to the expensive trade one they had across land (Europe & Asia... they heard of the wealth of the east, the beauty of Cinpango (japan) was recorded by Marco Polo etc.)

So in drawing a conclusion I say Portugal was responsible for the early phase of European Exploration while Spain would be responsible for continuing this exploration thus responsible for the middle Exploration while countries such as Britain, France and Holland were responsible for the late European Exploration.