Captaincy of Rio Grande
Former territorial division of Brazil (1534–1821) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Captaincy of Rio Grande (Portuguese: Capitania do Rio Grande) was one of the administrative subdivisions of Brazilian territory during the colonial period of Portuguese America. It was created in 1534 along with thirteen other hereditary captaincies and granted by John III, King of Portugal, to the so-called donatários. Initially, it was administered by João de Barros, a Portuguese historian, and Aires da Cunha.[1][2]
Captaincy of Rio Grande Capitania do Rio Grande | |
---|---|
1534–1821 | |
Official languages | Portuguese |
Religion | Catholicism |
Government | Absolute monarchy |
Today part of | Brazil |
Its territory was located between the mouth of the Jaguaribe river (to the north) and the bay of Traição (to the south), bordering the Captaincy of Itamaracá. It encompassed lands in the current states of Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará and Paraíba. Pernambuco and São Vicente were the only captaincies that prospered in the colonial period.[1][3]