Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
lim political and commercial power in
Southeast Asia at the beginning of the 16th
century. It was captured in 1511 by the great
Portuguese empire builder A FONSO DE A LBU -
QUERQUE . Portugal thus secured a formida-
ble advantage in the entire Indian Ocean
region as well as access to the Pacific Rim of
Asia. Its dominance in the area was dis-
rupted by the rise of the Dutch Republic as
a colonial power. The fall of Malacca to the
Dutch in 1642 greatly accelerated Portugal's
decline as a force in Asian colonial affairs.
Málaga
Founded by the Phoenicians more that
2,000 years ago, the city of Málaga was a
favorite residence of succeeding rulers,
including the Romans. Under Muslim rule
Málaga became a major seaport of A NDALU -
SIA until the Christian reconquest (R ECON -
QUISTA ) of the region in 1487. In later
centuries it was famed for its lush foliage,
fine wine, and equable climate. Held by
French invaders between 1810 and 1812,
Málaga underwent fierce bombing by
Franco's forces in 1936, during the S PANISH
CIVIL WAR . Today it is the capital of Málaga
province, with a population of roughly
550,000 people, and is notable chiefly as a
holiday resort.
Church in Majorca (Getty)
Majorca rallied to the revolt led by General
F RANCISCO F RANCO and served as a naval
base for his Italian allies. In more recent
times Majorca has been principally noted
for its touristic appeal, with picturesque
scenery and a mild climate that draw a
steady stream of visitors.
Malaspina, Alejandro (1754-1810)
Spanish navigator
A younger son of an Italian noble family,
Malaspina pursued a career in the Spanish
navy, distinguishing himself in the siege of
G IBRALTAR during the American Revolu-
tion. He participated in several voyages
across the Pacific during the 1780s and at
the end of that decade was chosen to lead a
Malacca
This city, dominating the strait of the same
name and thereby controlling the most
direct sea route from the Indian Ocean to
the South China Sea, was the seat of Mus-
 
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