Jacques-Nicolas Bellin: Carte de Isles de Madere et Portosanto
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Cartographer:
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Jacques-Nicolas Bellin
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Title:
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Carte de Isles de Madere et Portosanto
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Date:
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1749
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Published:
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Paris
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Width:
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9 inches / 23 cm
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Height:
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7 inches / 18 cm
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Map ref:
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AFR4892
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Description:
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| João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira are said to have discovered Porto Santo Island in 1418 after being diverted by a storm. The translation ‘holy port’ derives from this discovery of a sheltered bay during a monumental tempest, as it was seen as divine deliverance.
The Portuguese knew of the Madeira archipelago as early as the 14th century, their settlement was ordered after 1418 by the Infante D. Henrique or Prince Henry, the instigator of all Portugal's maritime discoveries at this time. Christopher Columbus called at Madeira and Porto Santo several times. He later married the daughter of Bartolomeu Perestrello, Porto Santo's first ditary. [AFR4892] |