The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494 between Spain and Portugal, aimed to resolve disputes over newly discovered lands during the Age of Exploration. It established a demarcation line in the Atlantic Ocean, granting Spain the rights to territories west of the line and Portugal the rights to areas to the east. The treaty's significance lies in its role in shaping European colonial ambitions and influencing the geopolitical landscape of the Americas. It facilitated Spain's exploration and conquest of vast territories while allowing Portugal to expand its influence in Africa and Asia, thus laying the foundation for future colonial empires.