"Over a period of 250 years Portuguese became the global language of maritime trade, and Iberian silver circulated as the first worldwide trading currency. A History of Portuguese Overseas Expansion, 1400-1668 provides an accessible survey of how the Portuguese became so influential during this period and how Portuguese settlements were founded in areas as far flung as Asia, Africa and South America." "Including a detailed bibliography and glossary, this volume is an invaluable textbook for all those studying this formative early period of expansion."--BOOK JACKET.