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Portolan Chart Navigation

Type Object Region Worldwide Time 1501–1510

Portolan charts are nautical charts drawn with compass bearings and coastlines, rooted in medieval Mediterranean seafaring, supporting ocean voyages …

Timeline

  1. 1501–1506Lisbon · LisbonPortuguese navigators returned with survey data of the West African and Brazilian coasts; Lisbon cartographers updated portolan charts accordingly, extending the compass rose network into the Atlantic, marking trade wind zones and anchorages, for use by the fleets of Cabral, da Gama, and others.
  2. 1506–1510Goa–Lisbon chart circulation network · PortugalAfter da Gama opened the route to India, intelligence from Arab and Indian coastal ports was incorporated into Iberian charts; portolan techniques combined with astrolabe latitude measurement and monsoon experience formed a navigational knowledge system supporting regular Indian Ocean merchant fleets.

Sources