Portugual and her Colonies
Background Information
Here is the background information on Portugal and all
the
stamp issueing entities (colonies, autonimous regions, &c.) under
her
aegis. For an understanding of their relation to each other, as
well
as maps, you can check out the outline.
Portugal
Republic (kingdom until 1910), the economy is largely agricultural,
with
mining of mineral ores. In the past, Portugal possessed a vast
colonial
empire.
Açores
An island group in the Atlantic Ocean, divided into three districts.
These
are: Angra (the islands of Graciosa, São Jorge, Treceira); Horta
(Corvo,
Faial, Flores, Pico); and Ponta Delagada (Santa Maria, São
Miguel).
From 1892 to 1905 they issues their own sstamps. Today the
Açores
are considered an integral part of Portugal.
Angra
An administrative district of the Açores consisting of
Graciosa,
São Jorge and Treceira. Portuguese stamps until 1868,
followed
by issues for the Azores. Later, in 1892-1905, the district's own
issues
(although the contemporary Açores commemoratives and postage-due
stamps were valid in the district.
Horta
An administrative district of the Açores consisting of
Corvo,
Faial, Flores and Pico. Portuguese stamps until 1868, followed by
issues
for the Azores. Later, in 1892-1905, the district's own issues
(although
the contemporary Açores commemoratives and postage-due
stamps
were valid in the district.
Ponta Delagada
An administrative district of the Açores consisting
of Santa
Maria and São Miguel. Portuguese stamps until 1868,
followed
by issues for the Azores. Later, in 1892-1905, the district's own
issues
(although the contemporary Açores commemoratives and postage-due
stamps
were valid in the district.
Madeira
An archipelago near the north-western coast of Africa, which formed an
administrative
district of Portugal under the name Funchal and, since 1976, has been
autonomous.
Funchal
An administrative district of Portugual and major city of Madeira, off
the
north-western coast of Africa. Funchal issued its own stamps in
1892.
Prior to this, Madeira stamps were in circulation. Since
1910,
Funchal has belonged to the postal territory of Portugal,
Africa
Portuguese Africa was the designation for Angola, Cape Verde Islands,
Moçambique,
Portuguese Guindea and the islands of São Tomé and
Principe.
The first stamps for this territory appeared in 1898 on the 400th
anniversary
of its discovery by Vasco da Gama. In 1918 a 1 c war tax poastage
stamp
was created for use as above except for Moçambique.
Cabo Verde
An island group in the Atlantic, west of Cape Verde. A poor
agricultrual
region. From 1951 the islands were regarded as an overseas
province
of Portugal, to which they had belonged since 1495. The became an
independent
republic by proclamation on 5 July 1975.
Portuguese Guinea
A neglected agricultural region. The remainder of Portuguese rule
in
Upper Guinea, established in the 15th century, declared a colony in
1978.
From 1951 it became an overseas provice of Portugal, and was the
first
Portuguese possession to decalre its independence, on 24 Sept. 1973, as
Guinea-Bissau.
São Tomé E Principe
Islanda of volcanic origin. Protuguese from 1484; a province from
1522;
and from 1951 an overseas province of Portugal. On 12 July 1975
the
islands were proclaimed an independent democratic republic.
Angola
A developing agricultrual country with mineral mining. Portuguese
from
the 15th century, officially a colony from 1885; from 1951 an overseas
province
of Portugal. Angola was declared an indepenent people's republic on 11
November
1975 in Luanda.
Portuguese Congo
North of Angola, the territory between the Rivers Ladje and Congo and
the
separate district Dabdina. The congo Conference in Berlin
(1884-5),
where Belgium laid claim to the delta of t he River Congo, thwarted
Portuguese
plans to seize the mouth of this giant river.
Moçambique
A backward agricultural country. It was Portuguese from the 16th
century,
but only in 1891 were its borders established, and it became a colony
in
1907. In 1919, Kionga district was joined to it. Until 1941
the
regions of Macica and Sofala were adminsitred by the private
Moçambique
Company. From 1951 Moçambique was considered an overseas
province
of Portugal. It became and independent people's republic on 15
June
1975.
Lorenço Marquez
A district of the Portuguese colony of Moçambique near Delago
Bay.
From 1895 definitives were issued. After 1920,
Moçambique
stamps were in use.
Inhambane
A district of the Portuguese provice of Moçambique. The
district
had its own tamps in 1895-1920. Prior to this the stamps of
Lorenço
Marquez were valid and, earlier still, until 1895, Moçambique
stamps.
Moçambique Co.
The private Moçambique Co. was established in 1891; for 50 years
it
adminitered the concession territory of Manica and Sofala in
Moçambique.
Its activities ended in 1941.
Zambezia
A part of Moçambique at one time administered by the Zambezi
company.
It consisted of the territory of Tete and Quelimane.
Tete
Moçambique district formerly administrered by the Zambezi
Company
as part of Zambezia. Today part of the Manica-Sofala district.
Quelimane
Moçambique district, once administered by the Zambezia company.
today
this teritory is called Zambezia.
Nyassa Co.
the territory of northern Moçambique, leased to the private
Nyassa
Company ini 1897. the concession ended on 27 October 1929, and
Portugal
took over the administration of Nyassa.
Kionga
The southernmost part of German East Africa on the shores of the Indian
Ocean,
occupied by the Portuguese form Moçambique in 1916 and then
awarded
to the later under the Treaty of Versailles.
Portuguese India
Three small territories on the coast of India, occupied by the
Portuguese
from the 16th century. (1) Diu island and the mainland territory
of
Gogola and Simlor. (2) Damão with the territory of Dadra
and
Naga-Aveli. (3) Gôa with th islands of Angedova, São
Jorge
and Morceges. On 18-19 Deember 1961 Indian trooops occupied thes
area
and incorported it into India.
Timor
One-time overseas territory of Portugal on the easter part of the
island
of Timor in the Lesser Sunda Islands and on its norther shore (Ocussi
Ambeno
enclave). It belonged to the Portuguese from 1586 to 1975.
On
28 November 1975 East timor People's Democratic Republic was
proclaimed,
but the Indonesian army immediatly occupied the whole territory.
Now
indepentant country of Timor-Leste
Macau
Portuguese trading port on the chinese coast dependent
on
transit trade under Chinese influence. The Chinese territory of
Aomin
was leased to Portugal in 1557 and turned into a Portuguese colony in
1887.
From 1951 it held the status of overseas trritory of Prtugal, and
was
given broad autonomy on 17 February 1976. Handed over to the
People's
Republic of China in 1999.
Outline and Maps
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