Nova Friburgo
Brazil · Americas
About Nova Friburgo
Nova Friburgo, commonly referred to as just Friburgo, is a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro in southeastern Brazil. It is located in the mountainous region, in the Center Mesoregion of the state, 136 km (85 mi) from the capital Rio de Janeiro. The town is 846 m (2,776 ft) above sea level, with a population of 189,939 (2022 Census) and its area is 933 km2.
Up to the 19th century, the region of the present Nova Friburgo was inhabited by Coroado Purí Indians. In 1818, seeking to improve relations with Germany to obtain its support against the French empire, King John VI proposed the creation of a planned settlement in Brazil. A royal decree of May 1818, authorized the Canton of Fribourg of Switzerland, to establish a colony of 100 Swiss families in the Morro Queimado Farm, in Cantagalo District, a place with climate and natural characteristics similar to those in their country.
Between 1819 and 1820, the region was settled by 265 Swiss families, in total 1,458 immigrants. It was named Nova Friburgo (New Fribourg) by the Swiss after the homeland of most of the families...
Overview adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA. Photography via Wikimedia Commons.