Which statement identifies a way that an important component of the Portuguese empire changed over time

Answer 1

One way that an important component of the Portuguese empire changed over time is that its territorial holdings expanded and contracted. Initially, the empire grew rapidly during the 15th and 16th centuries, with the Portuguese exploring and establishing colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. However, over time, due to a variety of factors such as wars, competition from other European powers, and economic decline, the empire began to lose control over its territories and by the 19th and 20th centuries, Portugal had significantly reduced its overseas empire.