Boundary. The boundary of the country, though familiar from that of the others, may be rehearsed. On the north we find Colombia, Venezuela, and the three Guianas with the Atlantic beyond; on the east and southeast the Atlantic only, on the south Uruguay, a speck of Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, a bit of Peru; on the west a small corner of Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. The only countries of the continent not touching its border are Ecuador and Chile. However, a few writers mention Ecuador on the west, as the southeast boundary line of that country is still undetermined.
History
The first of the South American countries to be discovered after Colombia and Venezuela, it was to the region of Brazil that the name America was first applied. It is therefore especially unbecoming for us to appropriate to ourselves in any exclusive sense the title of Americans; though having no other name, with apologies to the others, it may be pardonable for us to employ it when necessary.
In the year 1500 the first landing on this part of the continent was made by Pedro Alvares Cabral, then on his way from Portugal to the West Indies. In commemoration of that event, May 3rd is a Brazilian national holiday and the date of the assembling of Congress. As soon as the news was received in the home country, an expedition was sent out under Amerigo Vespucci, who explored the coast from its eastern extremity almost to La Plata, nearly 2000 miles. Fifteen Captaincies, each 150 miles along the coast, were later allotted and settlements were begun. The earliest of these which rose to importance were São Vicente in the neighborhood of Santos, and Pernambuco; a little later, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. These were the first agricultural colonies to be founded in South America, gold and silver being the attraction elsewhere. The French also had an eye to this country, making a settlement at Rio de Janeiro; the Dutch as well, who about a century later captured Bahia and Pernambuco; but both were ultimately expelled, the whole country remaining in the hands of the Portuguese. Conflicts with the Indians took place, at first with some who were unfriendly, and afterwards through attacks made by the invaders upon those Indians who had been christianized by the Jesuits. Their settlements were destroyed, 300,000 are said to have been slaughtered, and the rest were driven by the Paulistas from the region of the upper Paraná.
As Philip II of Spain in 1581 became ruler of Portugal, during the 60 years following, the expansion of Brazil to the west in territory which had been assigned to Spain was permitted, and such possession remained permanent. At other times conflicts occurred with the Spaniards at the south, but in 1777 peace was made with the boundaries as at present.
In 1807, Prince João, fleeing from Napoleon, came with his court to Brazil. He soon opened the five chief ports to commerce, he encouraged science, education, literature, art, and the immigration of foreigners, thus inaugurating a development of permanent value. On his return to Europe in 1821, the Prince, in view of the revolts of the Spanish colonies, hinted to his son whom he left in charge the advisability of himself assuming the crown, if a disposition towards independence became manifest. Accordingly in 1822, the son was crowned Emperor of Brazil; but having alienated his supporters, in 1831 he abdicated in favor of his infant son, Pedro. In 1889, the old Emperor, Dom Pedro II, who for many years had ruled wisely and well, was expelled on 24 hours’ notice; after a brief interim a Republic was established in 1891. Extravagance, insurrections, and financial distress followed, but since 1900 the country has made rapid advancement in wealth and in varied lines of development.
Government
The government is a federalized republic with the usual branches, the States more loosely bound together than with us, or than in any other South American Republic. They may even fix export taxes, and levy stamp duties. The President, with a Vice President, is elected for four years and is ineligible for a succeeding term. He has a Cabinet of seven Ministers. Congress is composed of a Senate with 63 members and a Chamber of 212 Deputies. There are 20 States, a Federal District, and the Territory of Acre. The last is composed of three Prefectures, with capital cities where government is administered by Government appointees. The States have their own administrative bodies, some with one house of legislation, some with two; and with a Governor or President as chief executive, a slight confusion possibly arising at times where the latter term is employed. All male citizens over 21 may vote except illiterates, soldiers, beggars, and members of monastic orders subject to vows of obedience, a wise prescription. The list of States precedes, with the usual figures, as accurate as obtainable, the areas from the latest Government survey. The list begins at the northwest, goes down the coast, and follows with the interior.
| States | Area, in square miles | Population | Capitals | Population | Altitude, in feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazonas | 645,940 | 435,000 | Manaos | 60,000 | 131 |
| Pará | 399,000 | 992,300 | Belem | 250,000 | 23 |
| Maranhão | 150,830 | 853,000 | Maranhão | 40,000 | 198 |
| Piauhy | 89,850 | 548,250 | Therezina | 35,000 | |
| Ceará | 62,160 | 1,436,300 | Fortaleza | 65,000 | |
| Rio Grande do Norte | 15,925 | 552,000 | Natal | 20,000 | 25 |
| Parahyba | 22,548 | 785,100 | Parahyba | 20,000 | |
| Pernambuco | 38,570 | 1,975,440 | Recife | 200,000 | |
| Alagôas | 10,400 | 990,000 | Maceió | 40,000 | |
| Sergipe | 8,983 | 535,000 | Aracajú | 30,000 | |
| Bahia | 206,990 | 3,373,000 | São Salvador | 300,000 | 147 |
| Espirito Santo | 16,860 | 479,200 | Victoria | 20,000 | |
| Rio de Janeiro | 16,408 | 1,502,000 | Nictheroy | 30,000 | |
| São Paulo | 101,890 | 4,823,000 | São Paulo | 510,000 | 2,510 |
| Paraná | 73,465 | 674,300 | Curityba | 50,000 | 2,980 |
| Santa Catharina | 43,168 | 633,000 | Florianopolis | 30,000 | |
| Rio Grande do Sul | 92,350 | 2,138,800 | Porto Alegre | 125,000 | |
| Minas Geraes | 227,238 | 5,789,000 | Bello Horizonte | 35,000 | 3,081 |
| Goyaz | 284,000 | 529,000 | Goyaz | 18,000 | 1,577 |
| Matto Grosso | 554,400 | 274,100 | Cuyabá | 32,000 | 953 |
| Territory of Acre | 67,712 | 104,000 | |||
| Federal District | 450 | 1,150,080 | Rio de Janeiro | 1,150,080 |