<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Portugal </Th> <Th> Spain </Th> </Tr> <P> Portugal--Spain relations describes relations between the governments of the Portuguese Republic and the Kingdom of Spain . The two states make up the vast majority of the Iberian Peninsula and as such, the relationship between the two is sometimes known as Iberian relations . </P> <P> In recent years, both countries have enjoyed a much friendlier relationship . The two countries have the European Union, Eurozone, Schengen Area, and NATO in common . Portugal and Spain had been rival sea powers as early as the fourteenth century . Portugal was more naturally - inclined to venture out on sea expeditions than Spain it being closer to the coast . Portugal was in a position to explore the area facing the Atlantic and adjacent to the African coast . In successfully doing so, it discovered that Africa has been the Arab world's major source of gold brought by camel caravans across the Sahara . This prompted Prince Henry to send expeditions farther south along the Africa coast . Bartolomeu Dias and his crew found themselves sailing in the eastern coast of Africa after a South Atlantic gale blew their ships around the southern tip of the African continent . This passage is now known as the Cape of Good Hope . An expedition headed by Vasco da Gama was sent on a diplomatic and trade mission to India . He followed the route of Dias until he reached Malindi (Kenya) in East Africa . Da Gama bombarded the town and took Indian hostages . </P>

What are spain and portugal known as collectively