Portuguese
by Boris Fausto

Since it was they who "discovered" Brazil, the Portuguese began settling their South American colony from the earliest times, i.e. from 1500 onwards. Even if one considers the post-Independence period (1822 onwards), the Portuguese have always been the most numerous immigrant population in the country. They came to Brazil partly owing to economic straits in Portugal and partly because they were attracted by the linguistic affinity. It should, however, be said that in the 1877-1972 period, the number of Italian immigrants was virtually on a par with the influx of Portuguese, both accounting for roughly 31% of all arrivals. They engaged in a variety of activities in both rural and urban zones and, unlike other immigrant populations, settled throughout Brazil's territory.

The largest community of Portuguese immigrants and their descendants is to be found in Rio de Janeiro. In the past, they predominated in the retail food market as well as controlling Brazil's main newspapers. During the period spanning Brazil's Independence to the end of last century, the Portuguese were the butt of discriminatory jibes from the local population, particularly in Rio de Janeiro. The criticism stemmed from resentment against the colonizers and was exacerbated by the high profile of the Portuguese community in Rio, which was then the capital of the country. As they controlled the food market, they were a ready scapegoat on whom to pour blame for the population's tribulations whenever retail prices rose.

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