Portugal–Spain border disputed between the two countries for two hundred years. A microstate existed previously on the border called Couto Misto. Districts on the Portuguese side of the border from North to South: Provinces on the Spanish side of the border from North to South: Portugal and Spain signed the Schengen Agreement in June 1991 which came into effect on 26 March 1995, making Portugal and Spain part of the Schengen area and thus the border then became an Open border. Portugal has since reintroduced border checks several times along the border with Spain, during the UEFA Euro 2004 championships, during the
Culture of Portugal León see County of Portugal) and became an independent kingdom in 1139. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal was a major economic, political, and cultural power, its global empire stretching from Brazil to the Indies, as well as Macau and Japan. Portugal, as a country with a long history, is home to several ancient architectural structures, as well as typical art, furniture and literary collections mirroring and chronicling the events that shaped the country and its peoples. It has a large number of cultural landmarks ranging from museums to ancient church buildings to medieval castles, which testify its rich