Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and was colonised by the Portuguese Empire in 1500. 

The country is named after the pau-brasil, the brazilwood which was massively explored in the 16th century. In 1809, the Portuguese Crown fled to Brazil during the Napolean wars and proclaimed Rio de Janeiro as the capital of the Portuguese Empire. 

On 7 September 1822, the King's son, Dom Predro I, was declared first emperor of independent Brazil. Several millions of slaves, mostly from African countries, have worked in the gold mines and plantations for many centuries. Brazil is the last country in the Americas to have officially abolished slavery on 13 May 1888.