Before the Europeans arrived in the 15th century, several Indian tribes had been living on the Brazilian shores and in the Amazon basin for thousands of years. The largest ethnic groups were the Tupi, Guaraní and the Ge.

Pedro Alvares Cabral discovers Brazil

The modern history of Brazil started in the year 1500 at the site which is now Porto Seguro (Bahia). Here navigator Pedro Alves Cabral claimed the shores of current Brazil for the Portuguese Crown. From 1530, the colonization started in Bahia and Pernambuco where the first sugar plantations were founded. In 1549, Salvador became the administrative and political centre of colonial Brazil.

From 1630 to 1654, the Brazilian possessions of the

Portuguese

Crown were partially annexed by the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. The different governors of the Dutch colony tried as much as possible to attract immigrants to the area, only with moderate success. Eventually the Dutch were expelled from the area in 1654 by the Portuguese.

With the creation of the Marquis of Pombal (de facto head of the Portuguese government) in the 18th century, the Portuguese strengthened their authority in the area. The Portuguese language became the official language in Brazil; previously indigenous languages such as Guaraní were widely spoken, even by many European settlers. Furthermore, the Jesuits who were protecting Indian rights were expelled. In 1807, afraid of Napoleon’s army, the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil, which was then still a Portuguese colony. From that moment on, Rio de Janeiro became the de facto capital of the Portuguese Empire and at this time Rio de Janeiro was destined to become a power centre of importance.

Pedro I - First Emperor of Brazil

Not long thereafter the National Library was established in Rio de Janeiro and the first Brazilian universities were founded.

When King João VI returned to Portugal in 1821, his son Pedro stayed behind in Brazil to become viceroy. 1822 was the year Pedro proclaimed for Brazil’s independence and appointed himself as emperor. Only three years later, the independence of Brazil was recognized by Portugal and in 1831 Emperor Pedro I was succeeded by his son, Emperor Pedro II.

Getúlio Vargas, president/ dictator of Brazil 1930-1945

Although the Brazilian empire lasted for more than six decades, it was destined to fall. In 1889, the new elite of coffee barons overthrew the monarchy and established a federal republic. Until 1930, the Brazilian government had been dominated by rural landowners. However, in the 1930s, under a military government led by Getúlio Vargas, Brazil started its industrialization. After the resignation of Vargas in 1945, a process of democratization began. Brazil was granted to host the FIFA World Cup 1950 and ten years later Brasilia became the new capital of Brazil under the guidance of president Juscelino Kubitschek. However, in 1964 the progressive vibe in Brazil was abruptly ended when the military seized power again and established another junta...

During these darkest years of modern Brazilian history, five succeeding generals had been ruling the country until 1985. Under the guise of an anti-communist campaign the junta tried to stabilize the

Brazilian economy

, but democracy and civil liberties were suppressed severely. Resistance was met by brutal measures, even torturing. At last, in 1984 there was a gradual transition to civilian rule, allowing for more space was a further development of a democratic tradition in Brazil.

Nevertheless, it took another five years before the first free presidential elections were held. President Collor de Mello and his successor Franco could not keep the hyperinflation and the subsequent recession under control. Next president Cardoso however, did manage to stabilize the economy of Brazil, among others by introducing (yet another) currency: the Real Brasileiro.

At the beginning of the new millennium, president Lula da Silva, a former metal worker from the countryside, finally took office after three previous election defeats. For the first time a Brazilian president did not radically change the monetary and economic policies of his predecessor. These politics were strengthening the booming economy of Brazil only further.

Five post-junta presidents of Brazil. Current president Dilma Rousseff is flanked by Sarney and Lula at the left and Cardoso and Colllor at the right. (Note: the sixth post-junta president, Franco, died in 2011)

2009: President Lula, bid leader Nuzman and soccer legend Pelé celebrate Rio de Janeiro's nomination to host the Summer Olympics 2016

In two terms, president Lula da Silva managed to open up traditionally inwardly-oriented Brazil to the outside world. President Lula also made significant progress in spreading wealth more equally, without harming the Brazilian economy. Since 2011 his successor, the popular Dilma Rousseff, has been in office. The first female president in the history of Brazil will have to lead the country towards a bright future on the path paved by her predecessor.

About Brazil is said it wil become one of the leading economies in the 21st century (being one of the BRIC countries).

Anyway, some prestigious events glimmer on Brazil’s horizon: the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 and the

Summer Olympics Rio de Janeiro 2016

, making currently all the eyes of the world look at Brazil !