The Treaty of Tordesillas, signed in 1494, was significant in the exploration of the New World because it divided newly discovered lands outside Europe between Spain and Portugal. The treaty was aimed at resolving disputes over newly claimed territories, granting Spain control over most of the Americas while Portugal acquired territories in Africa, Asia, and Brazil. This division laid the groundwork for imperial claims and colonial expansion, shaping the geopolitical landscape in the Age of Discovery. It also illustrated the dominance of these two nations in global exploration and exploitation during this period.