The State of Grão-Pará and Maranhão () was one of the states of the Portuguese Empire.

History

The state was created on 31 July 1751 by order of

Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal Dom (honorific), D. Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal and 1st Count of Oeiras (13 May 1699 – 8 May 1782), known as the Marquis of Pombal ( ), was a Portuguese statesman and diplomat who Despotism, despotically ruled ...

, the Secretary of the State for

Joseph I of Portugal '' Dom'' Joseph I (; 6 June 1714 – 24 February 1777), known as the Reformer (Portuguese: ''o Reformador''), was King of Portugal from 31 July 1750 until his death in 1777. Among other activities, Joseph was devoted to hunting and the opera. ...

. The state was the successor to the State of Maranhão. While there were limited territorial changes, Maranhão was politically and economically restructured and its capital was moved from São Luís, in the Captaincy of Maranhão, to

Santa Maria de Belém Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christian culture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christm ...

, in the Captaincy of Pará, which was raised to a unified state with Maranhão and had its name changed to Grão-Pará ( English: Great wide river). The purpose of creating this state was to stimulate economic activities.ANTIGO REGIME, IMPÉRIO PORTUGUÊS E GOVERNANÇA NO MARANHÃO E GRÃO-PARÁ.
/ref> In 1772, the state was split into two different states, the

State of Grão-Pará and Rio Negro The State of Grão-Pará and Rio Negro () was one of the states of the Portuguese Empire. History The state was created in 1772 by order of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal, the Secretary of the State for Joseph I of ...

and the

State of Maranhão and Piauí The State of Maranhão and Piauí ( Portuguese: ''Estado do Maranhão e Piauí'') was one of the states of the Portuguese Empire. History The state was created in 1772 by order of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal, th ...

Composition

The State of Grão-Pará and Maranhão, for the most part, retained all the same captaincies from the State of Maranhão: * Captaincy of Maranhão * Captaincy of Pará * Captaincy of Piauí * Captaincy of Ceará * Captaincy of Tapuitapera * Captaincy of Caeté * Captaincy of Cametá * Captaincy of Cabo Norte * Captaincy of Marajó * Captaincy of Xingu

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:State of Grao-Para and Maranhao Grao-Para and Maranhao Colonial Brazil Portuguese colonization of the Americas Former Portuguese colonies Former subdivisions of Brazil States and territories disestablished in 1772 1770s disestablishments in South America