New ports of the New World: Angra, Funchal, Port Royal and Bridgetown

A comparative analysis of the port systems of the Portuguese and British Empires in the Atlantic during the 17th and 18th centuries reveals key factors influencing the development of four insular ports: Angra (Azores), Funchal (Madeira), Bridgetown (Barbados), and Port Royal (Jamaica). The study highlights how these ports evolved to meet trade demands, their significant challenges, and how their development aligned with or diverged from imperial expectations. By integrating landscape archaeology, nautical and underwater archaeology, historical documentation, and cartography, the research provides a multifaceted understanding of the geographical, economic, and social dynamics shaping these crucial Atlantic hubs.

Garcia, A. C. A. (2017). New ports of the New World: Angra, Funchal, Port Royal and Bridgetown. International Journal of Maritime History, 29(1), 155–174. https://doi.org/10.1177/0843871416677952