[1][2] The fair ran from 23 June to 2 December 1940,[1] held on the Praça do Império,[3] and was attended by 3 million people.

[1] Augusto de Castro was the commissioner general, Júlio Dantas president of committee, Cottinelli Telmo [pt] the master architect,[4] António Ferro (director),[3] and lead engineer Duarte Pacheco.

[6] A Monument of the Discoveries of Portugal Padrão dos Descobrimentos was designed by Leopoldo de Almeida and Cottinelli Telmo.

[7] A modernist restaurant and beer hall was designed by António Lino with guidance from Cottinelli Telmo.

[10] Nau Portugal was a galleon replica, built by the Mónicas's Family Shipyard, it was exhibited near the Maritime Discoveries Pavilion.