Portuguese colonization of the Americas the State of Maranhão and Piauí; and the State of Grão-Pará and Rio Negro) were united into a singular colony, under the State of Brazil. This arrangement would last until the end of Colonial Brazil. As a result, Brazil did not split into several countries, as happened to its Spanish-speaking neighbors. The "Early Navigators" practically have been to the entire Caribbean, from The Bahamas to Jamaica. Papiamento, one of the languages spoken in the islands, is a mixture of Portuguese , Spanish and African languages. Portuguese merchants have been trading in the West Indies. To such an extent, that, for
Our Lady, Queen of the Americas (Washington, D.C.) leased evenings during the week and on weekends to celebrate Mass in Spanish and Portuguese, and to teach English, basic skills and literacy classes. In 1986, the Capilla Latina (Latin Chapel in Spanish) became the Parish of Our Lady Queen of the Americas and Cuban-born Fr. José Somoza O.F.M. was appointed pastor. In 1989, the property and building at 2200 California Street, N. W., were transferred to Our Lady Queen of the Americas for the purpose of serving the Hispanic and Portuguese communities, and for building of the premises the Educational and Pastoral Center and the Church. To this day,