A Historical Perspective on Rio de Janeiro’s Growth

Since the Portuguese occupation of what became Colonial Brazil, the country has had three different capital cities throughout its history: Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília.

In 1549, Salvador was designated as the capital of the Portuguese colony. Located in the northeast, it was close to the major sugarcane-producing regions, which dominated Brazil’s first economic cycle. However, with the discovery of gold in Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, and Goiás, the capital was moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1763.

As the sugarcane economy declined due to competition from Caribbean sugar, Salvador lost its economic and political significance. At the same time, Rio de Janeiro’s strategic position near major gold-producing regions made it the ideal choice for a new capital. Authorities sought to curb smuggling and improve export regulations by relocating closer to mining activities. Rio remained Brazil’s capital until April 21, 1960, when the government moved to Brasília.

The Arrival of the Portuguese Royal Family in 1808

One of the most significant events that shaped favela formation in Rio was the arrival of the Portuguese royal family in 1808. At the time, Rio was the most populous and economically important city in Brazil. Fleeing from Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal, around 15,000 Portuguese aristocrats and nobles arrived in Rio.

To accommodate the newcomers, 30% of Rio’s population was forcibly removed from their homes. Many of these displaced people relocated to swampy, low-lying areas and hillside regions, laying the groundwork for future favela communities.

The Abolition of Slavery and Migration to Cities

The abolition of slavery in 1888 was another key factor in the growth of favelas. Without government policies to integrate freed slaves into the job market, many moved to urban centers in search of work.

During the 19th century, coffee production became Brazil’s main economic activity. The Paraíba Valley, between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, became the country’s largest coffee-producing region. However, after the end of slavery, many former slaves migrated en masse to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, significantly increasing the number of informal settlements.

The First Favelas in Rio de Janeiro

By 1897, the first recognized favelas emerged in Rio:

• Morro da Providência
• Morro de Santo Antônio

Both were located in central Rio and became the foundation for future informal settlements.

Favela Expansion Throughout the 20th Century

As Rio’s urbanization expanded, favelas grew rapidly, particularly in the southern region of the city starting in the 1910s. The city also experienced waves of migration from northeastern Brazil, further increasing its population.

Throughout the 20th century, urban renewal projects displaced thousands of people, leading to more favela expansion. Between 1903 and 1906, Mayor Pereira Passos carried out a major urban reform, demolishing low-income housing to make way for wide avenues and luxury buildings inspired by Parisian architecture.

Favela Population Growth Over Time

According to demographic data:

• 1948: 7% of Rio’s population lived in favelas
• 1960: 10.2%
• 1970: 13.3%
• 1990: 16%
• 2000: 18.7% (approximately 1.2 million people)

Attempts to Remove Favelas and Urban Expansion

During the 1960s and 1970s, the government attempted to relocate favela residents by building public housing projects in Rio’s western zone. However, this strategy did not prevent the formation of new favelas or the expansion of existing ones.

The Role of Railways in Urban Expansion

The western zone grew alongside railway lines, with neighborhoods developing around new train stations. However, despite urban expansion, favelas remained a prominent feature of Rio’s landscape.

The Current Favela Landscape in Rio de Janeiro

According to Brazil’s 2010 Census (IBGE):

• Rio had 763 favelas
• 22% of the city’s population lived in favelas
• 1,393,314 people resided in informal settlements
• Rio had the largest favela population in Brazil

Conclusion

The formation of favelas in Rio de Janeiro is deeply rooted in the city’s historical, economic, and social transformations. Factors such as colonial migration, slavery abolition, urban renewal projects, and rural-to-urban migration have all contributed to their development.

Today, favelas remain an integral part of Rio’s social fabric, highlighting both the resilience of their communities and the city’s ongoing challenges in urban planning and social inclusion.

Learn Portuguese the Brazilian Way! 🇧🇷✨

At The Brazilian Ways, we believe language learning should be fun, immersive, and deeply connected to culture. Our unique courses help you speak Portuguese naturally while experiencing Brazil through its music, films, literature, and dance.

🎶 The Brazilian Music Club – Learn Portuguese through the rhythm and lyrics of Brazilian music.
🎬 The Movie Club – Improve your Portuguese while exploring the best of Brazilian cinema.
📖 The Short Story Club – Enhance your skills by diving into Brazilian literature.
💃 Portuguese for Zouk – Connect with the Zouk dance community while learning Portuguese.

✨ Join a vibrant community of learners and experience Brazil through language!
👉 Explore our programs and start today! 🚀