The Kingdom of Portugal was founded in 1139 by Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal. Afonso Henriques was a nobleman and military leader who led the fight for Portuguese independence from the Kingdom of León. He declared himself King of Portugal in 1139, after successfully defeating the Moors at the Battle of Ourique.

The Kingdom of Portugal then went on to become a major European power during the Age of Exploration, establishing a global empire and making significant contributions to the field of cartography and the development of trade routes. Today, Portugal is a democratic republic and a member of the European Union