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Pernambuco is a state of Brazil, located in the northeastern part of the country. To the north are the states of Paraíba and Ceará, to the west is Piauí, to the south are Alagoas and Bahia, and to the east is the Atlantic Ocean.

1 Geography

Pernambuco has a territory covered mostly by the dry thorny scrub vegetation called caatinga. The Rio São Francisco is the main water source for this area. The coastal area is fertile, and was formerly covered by the Mata AtlânticaMata Atlantica is the Atlantic Rain Forest formerly covering the wet coastal hills behind the Atlantic beaches of Brazil. Mata Atlantica is now designated a World Biosphere Reserve and contains a large number of highly endangered species including the wel. It is now place to extensive sugar cane plantations.

2 History

Pernambuco was first colonized by Portuguese settlers.

In 1534Events May 10 Jacques Cartier explores Newfoundland while searching for the Northwest Passage. June 9 Jacques Cartier is the first European to discover the St. Lawrence River. July 7 First known exchange between Europeans and natives of the Gulf of St., Dom João III , king of PortugalRepublica Portuguesa ( In Detail) National motto: None Official language Portuguese 3 Capital Lisbon President Jorge Sampaio Prime Minister Pedro Santana Lopes Area Total % water World ranking: 109th 92,391 km²0. 5 % Population Total ( 2004) Density World created the Hereditary Captaincies . Pernambuco, one of these captaincies, was granted to Duarte Coelho . The administrator of a captaincy was known as Donatario.

Duarte Coelho had arrived at Pernambuco, then known as Nova Lusitânia (New Lusitania), in 1535Events January 18 Lima, Peru founded by Francisco Pizarro June 24 The Anabaptist state of Munster is conquered and disbanded. May 19 French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail for his second voyage to North America with 3 ships, 110 men, and Chief Donnacon and established his government in the area on which OlindaOlinda is also a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Olinda (means "oh beautiful") is a city in Pernambuco, Brazil, next to Recife and Paulista. Olinda has a lot of tourist atractions, like: historical centre (human heritage) churches Carnival: The was to be founded.

After bloodshed battles against the Caetê indians, which had an alliance with the FrenchThe French established colonies across the New World in the 17th century. They were developed to export sugar and furs among other products. North America Explorers and settlers from France settled in what is now Canada, the Mississippi Valley and along t, Duarte Coelho founded OlindaOlinda is also a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Olinda (means "oh beautiful") is a city in Pernambuco, Brazil, next to Recife and Paulista. Olinda has a lot of tourist atractions, like: historical centre (human heritage) churches Carnival: The at the site of the Marin indian village. This victory made possible to estabilize the captaincy and to start Portuguese rule.

The village (vilas) of OlindaOlinda is also a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Olinda (means "oh beautiful") is a city in Pernambuco, Brazil, next to Recife and Paulista. Olinda has a lot of tourist atractions, like: historical centre (human heritage) churches Carnival: The (first capital) and Igarassu were founded 1537.

Pernambuco was one of the two only prosperous captaincies (the other was São Vincente ), mainly due to the plantation of sugar cane and cotton. With the support of Dutch East India Company, The sugar mills (engenho) were constructed and the sugar industry had greatly developed. In 1612, Pernambuco produced 14,000 tons of sugar; by 1640s, more than 24,000 tons of sugar were exported to Amsterdam.

In 1630, Pernambuco, as well as many Portuguese possessions in Brazil, was occupied by the Dutch. Johan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen, count of Nassau, was appointed as ruler of the Nieuw Holland (Dutch colonization enterprise in Brazil).

Nassau's government built Maritania or Mauristaad ( Recife) on delta islands, which is somewhat similar to Holland's topography. This moved the political focus from Olinda to Recife. The Nassau's Dutch administration was noted for advancements in urbanism, culture, and science. The Dutch legacy is still recognizable in Pernambuco's people, accent, and architecture.

Portugal reconquered Pernambuco after Battle of Guararapes in 1654 and Olinda regained its status of political center. However, Recife remained the commercial /port city.

In 1710 the Mascate War took place in Pernambuco. This conflict set the mascates (traveling salesman) from Recife against the establishment hosted in Olinda and led by the Senhores de Engenho (owners of the sugar mills, literally: sugar mill lords).

Pernambuco was the home to the most important rebellions and insurrections in Brazilian history, especially in the 19th century.

As a reaction to the Emperor Dom Pedro I dissolution of the Constituent Assembly, the Confederation of the Equator was set up on July 2, 1824. The Confederation was another separatism movement which encompassed the provinces of Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, and Ceará. On November 29, 1824, the Confederated forces capitulated to the imperial army.

Pernambuco was the site of the brief liberal republican Praieira revolt in 1848, which was Brazil's response to the European year of failed liberal revolutions. The military officer who put it down was Deodoro da Fonseca, later briefly the first president of the Brazilian republic.