The Cartographic Contributions of Corte-Real to Portugal's Exploration and Navigation History

In 1501, the Portuguese explorer Gaspar Corte-Real embarked on an expedition to discover a Northwest Passage to Asia, accompanied by his brother, Miguel Corte-Real. However, upon reaching the icy waters of Greenland, they found the sea frozen and were unable to proceed. Consequently, they altered their course southward, ultimately arriving in the regions of Labrador and Newfoundland. This journey was significant not only for its exploration but also for the valuable cartographic information it provided. Upon their return to Portugal, the data collected by Corte-Real was meticulously incorporated into a new world map. This map was presented to Ercole I d'Este, the Duke of Ferrara, by the cartographer Alberto Cantino in 1502. The Cantino planisphere, crafted in Lisbon, is notable for its accurate depiction of the southern coastline of Greenland, marking a pivotal moment in the history of exploration and cartography. The expedition and its findings contributed to the European understanding of North America's geography and the potential for future exploration in the region. #Mooflife #MomentOfLife #Corte-realExpedition #NorthwestPassage #Cartography #GreenlandExploration #CantinoPlanisphere