Rio de Janeiro History
Rio de Janeiro’s rich and, often times, tumultuous history has culminated in the emergence of a vibrant city worthy of its international standing.
The picturesque Guanabara Bay was discovered by Portuguese explorer Gaspar de Lemos in January 1502. Taking his cue from the calander, he named his discovery January River, or Rio de Janeiro. Lemos and his crew were pleased to discover an abundance of pau-brasil (Brazil wood) which was already used in Europe for the constructing of string instruments, as well as, ground into a powder for use as a dye. Interesting to note – the tree was not named for the country of Brazil; rather the country was named for the abundance of its first major export.
The French also took a keen interest in the region and are actually credited with establishing Rio’s first colony. The Portuguese did not take kindly to the “invasion” and quickly moved to drive the interlopers out. In 1565, the Portuguese finally settled Rio de Janeiro, establishing a military base against the French. Much of the aboriginal population (several different groups, speaking as many as 20 different languages) quickly succumbed to disease or were killed for their allegiance to the French. Those that survived were forced into slavery or were relocated to Jesuit settlements.
In 1693, gold and gems were discovered in the Minas Gerais region further inland from Rio. Along with Brazil wood – and later, sugarcane and coffee – this discovery led to the solidification of Rio de Janeiro as a major international trade port. With these new avenues for economic advancement, the Portuguese colonists were in desperate need of cheap labor. Thus, Rio also became a hub for the African slave trade into South America. With the abolition of slavery in 1888, came an influx of freed slaves into the city of Rio de Janeiro. Their presence has richly enhanced the vibrant culture of Rio, including their influence on the city’s world famous Carnival.
Modernization efforts, begun in the late 1980’s, have propelled Rio de Janeiro into the new millennium. In anticipation of the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development and the 2007 Pan Am Games – both in Rio – the city undertook massive infrastructure and communication development projects. Ongoing efforts by The Government Trust for Historic Preservation ensure the city will continue to grow while maintaining the roots of Rio de Janeiro’s rich history.
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