Next in order there followed an important period of private colonization. As a result of this we have Rincão d'El Rei, founded in 1850 by Dr. Israel R. Barcellos; Mundo Novo, founded in 1850 by Tristão José Monteiro; Conventos, founded in 1853 by Baptista F. Pereira e Cie.; Estrella, founded in 1856 by Santos Pinto; Mariante, founded in 1856; and Maratá founded in 1856 by Andreas Kochenborger and Pedro Schreiner.
In the year 1857 two provincial colonies were founded, i.e., Santo Angelo and Nova Petropolis.
The year 1858 marked the second period of private colonization. In that year São Lourenço was founded by Jakob Rheingantz. The first settlers of this colony were Pomeranians and natives of the Rheinland. In the same year Teutonia was founded by a group of capitalists of Porto Alegre.[33]
The last period of strictly provincial colonization is marked by the founding of Monte Alverne in 1859 and of São Feliciano in 1867.
In the most recent period a number of colonies supported by both the state and central governments have been founded. Of these the following have been settled largely by Germans; Guarany, founded in 1891; Ijuhy,[34] founded in 1891; and Erechim, founded in 1909.[35] In addition, Dr. Hermann Meyer's private colonies of Xingú and Neu Württemberg were founded in this period; the former in 1897 and the latter in 1899.
The German element is very strongly represented in the important cities of Porto Alegre and Pelotas as well as in the "municipios" of São João de Montenegro, São Sebastião do Cahy (now includes Nova Petropolis), Venancio Ayres, Lageado, Taquara, Cruz Alta and Palmeiro.
Rio Grande do Sul has a much larger population of German descent than any other state in Brazil. The main reason why so many Germans settled in this state we may attribute to the climatic conditions which are here more favorable to Germanic peoples than in any other section of the country.
AN ESTIMATE AS TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF GERMANS IN BRAZIL.
It is impossible to make an exact statement as to the total number of Germans in the country. The reasons for this are not far to seek. The fact that an accurate census for Brazil does not exist is not surprising when we consider the enormous expanse of territory.[36] The greater part of this is but sparsely settled and largely covered with primeval forests. Official statistics, where they do exist are apt to have been carelessly compiled and often are entirely untrustworthy, "Paciencia," has been the watchword here as well as throughout all other walks of life in Brazil.