 Today the word "catastro" means “register of the properties”, but the etymology comes from “enquire”.In the 18th century there was a distinction between a "catastro", which was made by central officers who traveled to the places to enquire, and the "amillaramiento", which was made by local authorities.The Catastro originated in a proposal for a single tax ("única contribución"), studied by 16 members of the Council of Castile, the Hacienda (Treasury), the Indies (America), the Military Orders, five "intendentes" (first provincial authorities) and the head of the Barcelona Court.