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Publication Date
4-6-2009
Description
Colonial houses in Ouro Preto (MG). The discovery of major deposits of gold and precious metals in Minas Gerais, Goids and Mato Grosso had important economic repercussions, since by the late Seventeenth century sugar profits, the mainstay of the economy, had been steadily declining. The capital of the colony was moved from Salvador to the port of Rio de Janeiro to facilitate shipping and better administer the exploitation of this enormous wealth. Thousands of speculators and settlers flocked to mining camps in the interior from coastal settlements and in 1776 Ouro Preto was over three times as populous as New York. The mining wealth of Minas Gerais permitted the growth of a sophisticated urban society in the interior which built sumptuous baroque and rococo mansions and churches.Casas coloniais em Ouro Preto (MG). A descoberta de enormes jazidas de ouro e pedras preciosas em Minas Gerais, Goiás e Mato Grosso tiveram importante repercussilo económica já que na metade do século XVII o ciclo do açúcar começou a declinar constantemente em face à competição com o açúcar vindo das Antilhas. A capital da colónia foi transferida de Salvador para o porto do Rio de Janeiro para facilitar o transporte marítimo e melhor administrar a exploração das ricas jazidas. Milhares de especuladores e colonos migraram das colónias costeiras para os campos mineiros no interior e, em 1776 Ouro Preto era três vezes mais populosa que New York. As ricas jazidas de Minas Gerais permitiram o crescimento de uma sociedade urbana sofisticada que construiu suntuosas mansões e igrejas em estilo barroco e rococó.
Publisher
Latin American and Iberian Institute / University of New Mexico
Rights
Brazil Slide Series Collection: This article is copyrighted by the Latin American & Iberian Institute (LAII) of the University of New Mexico. Rights permission is for standard academic, non-commercial, use of these materials. Proper citation of this material should include title, author, publisher, date, and URL. Copyright Latin American and Iberian Institute University of New Mexico 1989
Keywords
Brazil: Ethnicity and Population
