Why are modern Spain and Portugal such mediocre nations compared to their historic past?

Question

These countries once produced the most famous explorers, adventurers, colonizers and scientific inventions. But hey that was like 400-500 years ago. Today nothing of significance comes out of these nations except Madeira wines, bull-fighting and olives. What gives?

Answer 1

Spain and Portugal could thank the Arab Moors and the Sephardi Jews for bringing on the Iberian peninsula the Arabic mathematics and the Jewish instrument making. That is what enabled them to conquer the world by sailing and ... finding their way!



But later, the French and the Brits became the "rulers of the sea." Isn't if fair that the leading countries change with time?



In the 20th century, both Spain and Portugal suffered a totalitarian regime that didn't made them in favour amounts the countries building the European Union. When democracy came to Spain and Portugal in the 1970s, what was the best growing industry in both countries was the tourism.



Alas they built a bit too much, borrowed a bit too much from the banks, met the recession and ... here we are?



A week ago, I saw the interview of a Spaniard who went to Norway to seek a job since his country has one of the highest unemployment in Europe. He said something like this: "The problem is that, a few years ago, I went to the bank, asking for a loan of 100,000 Euros to buy a house and the bank answered: Why don't you borrow 150,000 Euros? Then you can also buy a nice car!"

Answer 2

The 18th-20th century period was marked by the industrial revolution and both Spain and Portugal lack the raw materials, so they never had an industrial revolution.



Also both countries expelled most Jews in the 16th century. The Jews financed the maritime discoveries and had most of the knowledge in mathematics and astronomy.

Answer 3

Nothing of significance? Mediocre nations?

Nonesense.



You are just blind folding yourself.



Did you know that little prepaid card, on your cellphone, is Portuguese?

Yeah, little examples like those that makes one wonder, when you least know it.



I suggest you visit both Spain and Portugal, before making such atrocious question.

Because this sounds like a poor excuse to attack a certain group of people/countries.

Answer 4

I have never seen any product made in Spain or Portugal,except Saffron from Spain,whereas the other European country's products are seen in this part of Asia.

They have probably not taken seriously to innovation,building scientific creative skills,nor do they have any cutting edge technology to speak of.

Except navigation & partly marine vessels manufacture - their contribution to out side world is probably dwindling.

At least they could have taken a leaf from the book of their progressive neighbors like Germany,NorwaySweden,France & U.K.

It's a case of lost opportunities.