Final answer:
The Portuguese empire differed from other European states mainly through its unique focus on Brazil's plantation agriculture, the transference of the royal family to the Americas, and its pioneering role in establishing early trade routes in the Indian Ocean using advanced maritime technologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Portuguese empire was distinct from other European states in several ways. One primary difference was that following the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494, Portugal claimed Brazil, focusing on plantation agriculture and exportation of brazilwood rather than the quick riches of gold and silver that characterized the Spanish conquests. The Portuguese empire's presence in Brazil ultimately resulted in a blended culture, significantly influenced by its large number of African slaves.
Another key difference was the move of the Portuguese royal family to Brazil in 1807, which was unprecedented and shifted the control center of the empire from Europe to the Americas. This led to the relatively peaceful independence of Brazil and its maintenance as a single nation rather than fragmenting like Spanish America. Furthermore, the constitutional monarchy established in Brazil maintained political stability while reinforcing existing colonial hierarchies.
In terms of empire building, under Prince Henry the Navigator, Portugal emerged as a leader in the European Age of Discovery, establishing strategic trading ports in the Atlantic, Africa and India, utilizing cutting-edge maritime technologies like the compass, astrolabe, and caravel. This network formed the backbone of the Portuguese sea empire, highlighting their early focus on dominating trade routes in the Indian Ocean.