The Portuguese empire had control of Brazil in the South American region.
Portuguese explorers first arrived in Brazil in 1500, and the country became a colony of Portugal until it gained independence in 1822. During this period, Brazil was a major source of wealth for Portugal due to its vast natural resources, including gold, diamonds, and coffee. The Portuguese also brought African slaves to Brazil to work on plantations, leading to a diverse and complex society that still bears the influence of both Portuguese and African cultures.