The signing of the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 marked a significant moment in global exploration by dividing newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal. This agreement aimed to reduce disputes over colonial expansion, allowing both nations to claim territories in the Americas and elsewhere. As a result, the treaty shaped the patterns of European exploration and colonization, leading to Spain's dominance in the Americas and Portugal's focus on Africa and Asia. The Treaty of Tordesillas ultimately transformed global trade routes and laid the groundwork for future conflicts and negotiations among European powers as they sought to expand their empires.