Brazil's Fascinating History From Tribes to Republic
History of Brazil
Pre-Colonial Period (Before 1500)
Before European contact, Brazil was inhabited by hundreds of indigenous tribes, such as the Tupi, Guarani, and Yanomami. These groups had diverse languages, cultures, and social structures. Estimates suggest that up to 5 million indigenous people lived in the region.
Portuguese Colonization (1500–1822)
In 1500, Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral arrived on the Brazilian coast. Portugal quickly claimed the land under the Treaty of Tordesillas. The colony was primarily exploited for resources, especially pau-brasil (brazilwood), which gave the country its name.