Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the first works of the Portuguese Commission of Cartography (1883-1936) enhancing its contribution to the scientific knowledge on Africa as well as its important role on the systematization of the previous historical and geographical information on this continent

Paper long abstract:

Since the 16th century Portuguese recognition of the African coast reflects the commitment in gathering detailed information on the unknown regions and people. This information supported later surveys and provided the basis for the first maps though these documents were not a result of any official model to be adopted in all the territories under Portuguese sovereignty.

Created in 1883 under the instruction of the Geographical Society of Lisbon, the Commission of Cartography was the first Portuguese institution assigned to produce a collection of credible and accurate maps of all Portugal's overseas territories. However it extended far beyond this initial purpose as the Commission was behind most of the different missions that were then carried out. Today its legacy became an important corpus of information on Portuguese colonial policy and on Portugal's former colonies.

From a scientific perspective, the works of the Commission were framed by the most update European knowledge on Africa based on several scientific expeditions and supported by the public discussion and publishing of the results of these expeditions undertaken by well known European scientific institutions, such as the Geographic Society of London and the Société de Geography de Paris. This interplay is witnessed on what was produced by the Commission and on the scientific library organized to enable a prior knowledge of the areas to survey.