The earliest known settlers of the country of Brazil were nomadic and semi-nomadic people who were believed to come from parts of Asia in hopes of finding abundant hunting grounds. The population of these people was divided into agricultural settlements and the semi-nomadic peoples. The population that settled the agricultural lands cultivated and lived off the land. The semi-nomadic people moved around the land to find food and water. The early people of Brazil hunted, fished, and grew their own goods. Because these people did not develop a writing system, little is known about their history.
In the early 16th century, the first Europeans came to Brazil and settled among Indian villages and at the trading posts they established at Salvador and Cabo Frio on the northeast coast. Pedro Alvares Cabral led the Portuguese to colonize in 1533.The resource of interest to the Portugese was brazilwood, a type of wood used for making a valuable, fired-colored dye. The natives and the Portuguese exchanged goods such as hardware and trinkets for brazilwood. Sugarcane was also a popular resource. In the southeast of Brazil, during the 18th century, Brazil furnished a large portion of the world’s gold reserves. Diamonds were found in this region as well. During the 19th century, Brazil’s land provided richness to raise cattle and to establish coffee plantations. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the settlers of the northeast region began migrating to the Amazon region where they escaped a drought. The people tapped rubber trees for water. The Amazon region had an estimated population of 40,000 people. Jute and black pepper brought Japanese settlers to the lower Amazon. Manganese deposits were also developed in the mid-20th century. All of Brazil's resources were used for economic and living purposes. Relative to the theory of settlement from Guns, Germs, and Steel, the Portuguese were quick to dominate the land. They brought with them Western diseases, such as small pox, that eventually killed off a great amount of natives and sent others to fleeing far inland. The Portuguese also had the hardware to cultivate the land. They had the resources to bring in African slaves to work the plantations and mines. Today, Brazil is a country that house around 200 million people. It is still rich in resources, culture, diversity, and tourist attractions. Additional Resources on Settlements
Encyclopedia Britannica (above link) provides further information about Brazil's settlements as well as other information about the country.
The above link directs you to a website that provides the history of Brazil's settlements to the history of its empire.
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Brazil's Natural Resources
This map displays Brazil's native resources and their location of abundance. Brazil Native Resources. (2007). [Map]. Retrieved from http://www.brazilmapxl.com/natural-resources-map.html. African Slave Trade, 1500-1870
The above map shows the areas of Africa where slaves were transported from. The slaves transported to Brazil were from the Southwestern areas of Africa. African Slave Trade. (2003). [Map]. Retrieved from http://skyblue.utb.edu/paullgj/geog3333/lectures/ethnic_background.htm |
Population Pyramids
In 50 years, Brazil's population has almost tripled. The population trend of younger aged people (0-14) has decreased. Female population slightly predominates the male population.