Santa Catarina (state)
European colonies began with the Spanish settlement of Santa Catarina island in 1542.  The Portuguese took control in 1675. The captaincy of Santa Catarina was created in 1738.  Large numbers of European immigrants, especially from Germany, began arriving in the early 19th century.  Immigrants from Italy, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Japan and other parts of Europe later came. This led to many small, family held farms in the state.