Final answer:
Portugal's empire differentiated itself through the focus on trade over immediate riches, technological advancements in navigation, and unique administrative shifts such as ruling from Brazil. The peaceful transition to independence and preservation as a single nation post-independence also marked its distinction from the Spanish empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
Portugal's empire was distinguished by several unique aspects. Unlike the Spanish empire, which gained immense wealth from gold and silver, the Portuguese empire, particularly in Brazil, did not immediately find such riches. Instead, they capitalized on the exportation of brazilwood, plantation agriculture, and cattle ranching, along with the labor of around four million African slaves that were brought to the area. This contributed to the development of a blended culture similar to that in the Spanish empire.
Moreover, the Portuguese maritime empire was established through strategic colonization of Atlantic islands and exploration of the African coast, marked by sophisticated navigation and shipbuilding technologies such as the compass, the astrolabe, and the caravel. One of the striking differences was that Portugal, having transferred its royal family to Brazil in 1807, ruled from the Americas for over a decade, which eventually facilitated a relatively peaceful path to independence for Portuguese America, in contrast to the turbulent independence movements in Spanish America. This move also resulted in Brazil becoming a single nation after independence, whereas Spanish America fragmented into multiple countries.
Another factor that set the Portuguese empire apart was the influence of Prince Henry the Navigator, who played a crucial role in its expansion, with a focus on trade, setting the groundwork for Portugal as a trading and seafaring nation. The kingdom of Portugal strategically captured Ceuta, allowing it to control the western Mediterranean and Atlantic trade routes. Further, it initiated territorial expansion along the African coast as early as the 1430s and 1440s.