Colonial Brazil
Colonial Brazil Brasil Colonial Colony of the Kingdom of Portugal 1500–1815 Flag Coat of arms Brazil in 1534. Capital Salvador (1549–1763) Rio de Janeiro (1763–1815) Languages Portuguese (official) Tupí Austral, Nheengatu, many indigenous languages Religion Roman Catholic (official) Afro-Brazilian religions, Judaism, indigenous practices Government Absolute monarchy Monarch • 1500–1521 Manuel I (first) • 1777–1815 Maria I (last) Viceroy • 1549–1553 Tomé de Sousa (first) • 1806–1808 Marcos de Noronha, 8th Count of the Arcos (last) History • Arrival of Pedro Álvares Cabral on behalf of the Portuguese Empire 22 April 1500 • Elevation to Kingdom and creation of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarves 16 December 1815 Currency Portuguese real Preceded by Succeeded by Indigenous people in Brazil United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves Today part of Brazil Uruguay...