PORTULAN Meaning and
Definition
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A portulan refers to a type of navigational tool or chart used by sailors during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Derived from the Catalan word "portolà," meaning "bearing" or "course," a portulan is a map or guide specifically designed for maritime navigation. Typically, a portulan includes detailed depictions of coastlines, coastal landmarks, and prominent ports, as well as information on currents, winds, tides, and various hazards encountered at sea.
Portulans were created and utilized primarily by mariners exploring the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. These maps were hand-drawn on vellum or parchment, using skilled cartographers' knowledge and expertise to ensure accuracy. They were crafted with precise measurements and compass rose patterns, enabling sailors to determine their course and distance traveled.
Portulans often featured geographical names, distances, and bearings to assist sailors in navigating to and from different destinations. Additionally, they provided information on the locations of safe harbors, navigational beacons, and shallow areas, increasing the likelihood of successful voyages and reducing the risks associated with maritime exploration.
Despite lacking the sophisticated cartographic techniques of modern navigation tools, portulans were exceptionally valuable during the Age of Discovery. They contributed significantly to the expansion of trade, exploration, and colonization. Portulans became a vital aid for seafarers and played a crucial role in connecting distant regions of the world, ultimately shaping the history of navigation and exploration.
Common Misspellings for PORTULAN
- oortulan
- lortulan
- 0ortulan
- pirtulan
- pkrtulan
- plrtulan
- pprtulan
- p0rtulan
- p9rtulan
- poetulan
- podtulan
- poftulan
- pottulan
- po5tulan
- po4tulan
- porrulan
- porfulan
- porgulan
- poryulan
- por6ulan
Etymology of PORTULAN
The word "portulan" comes from the late Latin term "portūlandum" which means "to be carried about" or "to be carried across" and refers to navigational charts used by sailors. The term further developed in Old Provençal as "portolano" and then in the Middle French language as "portulan" around the 15th century. These charts were essential for maritime travel, providing sailors with information about coastlines, ports, and navigational routes. The word "portulan" eventually became associated with these charts and is still used today to describe this type of navigational instrument.
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