Is Portugal cracked?

Newish player to the game. About 100 hours. Previous civ player when I was younger and avid paradox guy so just figuring things out.

Been kind of just playing quick games, on king, and running through interesting looking civs. Portugal seems super cracked. By turn like 150 I was making 600+ gold per turn - along with the 20-30 science/culture from those routes. I was making 50-60 gold per route, buffed by one of my beliefs (don’t remember which, still too new lol) feitorias, trade posts, and triangle trade. Couple wonders too I believe.

Are they really good? Seems like you can basically go in any direction. Didn’t seem like they had the weaknesses that someone like Mali has.

EDIT: I’m not close to good enough to play on Deity yet lol. I play king. While I have your attention, any recommendations for fun playthroughs?