Line of Demarcation was an imaginary line drawn by Pope Alexander VI to settle land claims. The line was drawn in 1493, after Christopher Columbus returned from his first voyage to the Americas. The pope hoped it would prevent disputes between Spain and Portugal over new lands discovered by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. The line ran from north to south about 350 miles (563 kilometers) west of the Azores and Cape Verde Islands. It barely touched the east coast of the South American mainland, which had not yet been discovered by Europeans. Spain was permitted to claim land to the west of the line, and Portugal could claim land to the east of the line.