Brazil

There were significant pre-European civilizations in Brazil, but not the Inca or Maya. Those civilizations were located in the Andes Mountains and Central America, respectively. In Brazil, the main groups were the Indigenous peoples: Brazil was inhabited by various indigenous peoples for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. These groups were diverse, with different languages, cultures, and ways of life. Some of the major groups included the Tupi, Guarani, Gê, and Arawak. They lived mainly on the coast and alongside rivers in tribes. However, very little is known about the history of Brazil before the arrival of the Portuguese in 1500, as the tribes tended to be semi-nomadic with no permanent buildings and no  written records.Brazil was colonized by Portugal. The Portuguese arrived in Brazil in 1500, led by Pedro Álvares Cabral.Brazil was colonized by Portugal for over 300 years, from 1500 to 1822.Brazil became independent in 1822. It is not still a colony. The independence was declared by Prince Pedro I, the son of the Portuguese king, who became the first Emperor of Brazil. Some major events were in 1822, Independence from Portugal declared.1888,  Slavery was abolished.In 1889,  Brazil became a republic. During the 20th Century, Brazil experienced periods of dictatorship and democracy, as well as economic growth and challenges. Finally, in the 21st Century, Brazil became a major economic power in South America and a significant player on the world stage. A significant portion of Brazilians have European ancestry, primarily Portuguese, but also Italian, Spanish, and German. This is a direct result of Portuguese colonization and subsequent immigration waves.Though indigenous  numbers were drastically lessened due to disease, colonization, and displacement, indigenous peoples still live in Brazil. They represent various distinct ethnic groups with their own languages and cultures. A large segment of the Brazilian population has African ancestry. This is a legacy of the transatlantic slave trade, where millions of Africans were brought to Brazil to work on plantations.