The Portuguese arrived in Brazil in 1500 and colonized the land by 1533, naming it after the redwood tree found there that produced a valuable dye. They established sugar plantations in northern Brazil using slaves from Africa, fueling the new colony's economic growth through the slave labor on the sugar plantations.

1. Portuguese in Brazil
Friday, December 18, 2009

2. In 1500 the Portuguese hit the Brazilian shore.
By 1533 Brazil is colonized by the Portuguese settlers.
They name the land Brazil, after the redwood found that extracts
a natural dye in high demand.
Friday, December 18, 2009

3. Sugar plantations in northern Brazil are the beginning of the
economic boom for the new settlers.
Almost all slaves from the Portuguese coasts of Africa are sent to
work the sugar plantations of Brazil.
Friday, December 18, 2009