History of Portugal (1640–1777) put to the test in 1762 when Spain invaded aided by France, during the Seven Years' War. Britain invoked its alliance with Portugal and sent troops. Several months later, the conflict was settled with comparatively little fighting. In 1777, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of San Ildefonso, which mainly resolved a number of border disputes between their South American colonies. During the Age of Enlightenment, Portugal was considered one of Europe's unenlightened backwaters; it was a country of three million with 200,000 people in 538 monasteries in 1750. Melo seems to have been deeply embarrassed by Portugal's much lamented
Pinecreek–Piney Border Crossing Pinecreek–Piney Border Crossing The Pinecreek–Piney Border Crossing connects the communities of Pinecreek, Minnesota and Piney, Manitoba on the Canada–U.S. border. It is connected by Minnesota State Highway 89 on the American side and Manitoba Highway 89 on the Canadian side. Although operated by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the adjacent Piney Pinecreek Border Airport's runway crosses the international border. There is an access drive to the airport on each side of the border. Small aircraft can land at this airport from either country, be inspected by officers from the other country and if admitted, continue to fly into the other