It was mainly for trade...................business............................elephant tusks from Africa and India............rino horns.............mink coats..........the city of Nashville, tn was founded by a Canadian fur trader........those words go hand in hand "Canadian fur trader"............of course a Mississippian culture had a city on the Cumberland river at Nashville, tn a long time ago............

Still, Portugal did not really appreciate the value of Brazil, since their imports came mainly from India and the Far East. It was only the New Christian (who were converted Jews) investors that were scouting and defending the coast. These ones traded in brazilwood and would share their monopoly contracts with the Portuguese king. The king would then allow private investors to conquer certain areas for their own benefit, but at their own costs. This led to a combination of royal and private ownership.

It was not long before other European nations wanted the opportunity to conquer and occupy parts of Brazil. Brazilwood provided a rich red dye, which was valuable in the colouring of textiles and clothing. The French and Spanish made repeated efforts at entering Brazil. The Portuguese fought determinedly against their invasion, dispatching strong fleets to clear the coast. Another one of its efforts was to establish permanent settlements. The first of these was São Vicente, established in 1532.

Investors were required for portions of land as well as for sugar mills, and so on. Portuguese colonisers also needed to establish and maintain positive working relationships with the locals. Centuries later, sugar would become the agricultural and financial pillar of Brazil.