Padrão Real

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The Padrão Real was a secret master Portuguese map produced and maintained by the Portuguese government organization, the Casa da Índia. The first Padrão Real was produced in the time of Henry the Navigator, before the Casa da Índia existed, but its predecessor organizations were already functioning.

The Padrão Real included a record of Portuguese discoveries. The Casa da Índia issued charts to pilots (i.e., navigators) in royal service.

The Padrão Real is the counterpart of the Spanish secret master map known as the Padrón Real (later called the Padrón General) produced and managed by the Casa de Contratación.