Cartógrafos portugueses representan ríos y montañas: señales de riquezas y puntos de referencia en las tierras de Brasil

From the analysis of examples of Portuguese cartography about Brazil, namely the itineraries produced between 1580 and 1640 by Luís Teixeira and his son, João Teixeira Albernaz I, some functions performed by rivers and mountains are identified on the maps and in literary descriptions. Fundamentally, for these cartographers, rivers and mountains are geographical elements always desired. Within the continent they may indicate the existence of precious metal mines. Along the coast, they represent landmarks and are signs of proper navigation.