Rio Grande do Sul

Lore & Background

Before the arrival of Portuguese and Spanish settlers, Rio Grande do Sul was inhabited mostly by the Guarani and Kaingang peoples, with smaller populations of Charrúa and Minuane. The first Europeans there were Jesuits, followed by settlers from the Azores. In the 19th century, the state was the scene of conflicts including the Ragamuffin War and the Paraguayan War. Large waves of German and Italian migration have shaped the state as well.

Reader's Guide

Rio Grande do Sul holds significance as a border state with distinct cultural and historical ties to Argentina and Uruguay, reflected in its shared gaucho traditions. Its geography includes the Lagoa dos Patos and Lagoa Mirim, two large estuarine lagoons, and the Guaíba River, which provides extensive fluvial navigation. The state's economy contributes 6.6% of Brazil's GDP while housing 5.4% of the population. Its climate is predominantly humid subtropical, with occasional droughts and rare snowfalls in mountainous areas. The state is also notable for the Caturrita Formation, rich in Triassic fossils, including the cynodont Riograndia named after the state. The legacy of European migration, particularly German and Italian, remains evident in the state's demographics and culture.

Did You Know?

• The state has the highest life expectancy in Brazil and a relatively low crime rate compared to the national average.
• The Caturrita Formation in Rio Grande do Sul contains Triassic fossils, including the cynodont Riograndia named after the state.