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Diogo Ribeiro

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description Diogo Ribeiro Overview

Diogo Ribeiro was a 16th-century Portuguese cartographer and explorer who worked extensively for the Spanish Crown. He served as the Royal Cosmographer at the Casa de Contratación in Seville, where he was tasked with updating the "Padrón Real," the official master map of newly discovered lands. His surviving works from the 1520s are notable for accurately documenting the geographic knowledge obtained during the early Spanish explorations of the Americas. These maps were crucial navigational tools for Spanish maritime explorers.

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What was Diogo Ribeiro's most famous map?

Diogo Ribeiro is best known for creating the Padrón Real in 1527, which served as the official and highly secretive master map for the Spanish Empire. He revised it several times to reflect the latest discoveries from ongoing Spanish explorations.

Why did a Portuguese cartographer work for Spain?

Ribeiro initially served as a sailor under the Portuguese crown but eventually moved to Spain. He was appointed as the Royal Cosmographer to King Charles I of Spain at the Casa de Contratación in Seville.

What territory did Diogo Ribeiro map?

Ribeiro was instrumental in mapping the newly discovered lands of the Americas, particularly the coastlines of North and South America. His maps notably depicted the Pacific Ocean and the Spice Islands based on the recent Magellan-Elcano circumnavigation.

How accurate were Diogo Ribeiro's maps?

For his time, Ribeiro's maps were remarkably accurate, especially regarding the intricate coastlines of Central and South America. However, they still featured some speculative geography, such as assuming a direct water passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.