Portugal, throughout its history, has had difficult relations with its powerful peninsular neighbour (Castela/Espanha), struggling with the expansion of the Meseta (old part of the Iberian Peninsula, divided in two by the Luso-Castelhano System) and sending its men to the sea to safeguard its freedom and independence. Existing as an independent state since the 12th century, the territory that actually forms Portugal, already had in 10th and 11th centuries, in between-the-Douro-and-Minho regions, the sketch of a political, social and economist organization, seperate from the Kingdom of Lion. The Atlantic has given Portuguese the knowledge and spirit that distinguish maritime populations, allowing them to prepare much earlier for European maritime expansion. The presence of strong jewish and arab communities also guaranteed the necessary scientific teachings to the discoveries movement, that would begin in the 15th century under the management of the Royal house. In 1415, the Portuguese went to the sea on an epic trip, which would turn them into the first nation discovering the maritime routes to India, Brazil, China and Japan. On their many adventures, exchanges have been done and these 'exchanges' have made Portugal a very rich country, not only in spices brought from India, but also in gold and jewels found in Brazil. The end of the 18th century attended the attempt of introduction of the "clarified despotism" by the Marquis of Pombal, who would leave his mark in the reconstruction of the capital Lisbon (in 1755), destroyed by a violent earthquake that caused much commotion in all of Europe. Portugal is one of the oldest countries of the world, born in 1143 and whose continental borders had been established in 1297.