Rio de Janeiro's parishes at the end of the 18th

Abstract

This article presents results of a research in progress that treats of the formation of the parishes in Rio de Janeiro. These villages, involved in agricultural and urban activities, were composed by nucleuses of population and local markets. By the end of the 18th century, dozens of parishes had been established from the coast line to the remote interior. These Christian poles, founded by the Church in association with the landlords, indicate the existence of a urban network and territorial strategies in the colonial project of Portugal.