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Pluricontinentalism (Portuguese:Pluricontinentalismo) was ageopolitical concept, positing thatPortugal was atranscontinental country and aunitary nation-state consisting ofcontinental Portugal and itsoverseas provinces. With origins as early as the 14th century, pluricontinentalism gained official state sponsorship in theEstado Novo regime. It was the idea that Portugal was not a colonial empire (Portuguese Empire) but a singular nation-state spread across continents (hence the name).[1][2]
As such, overseas possessions were a part of Portuguese identity. The first time that Portugal was a pluricontinental country was during the reign ofMaria I of Portugal, with the creation of theUnited Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves, when the Portuguese court was living in Brazil andRio de Janeiro served as the capital for the country. The idea of pluricontinentalism quickly collapsed following theCarnation Revolution in 1974.