This early-18th century manuscript map shows the interior of the Brazilian state of Bahia, at the time still largely uncharted. The Portuguese began to explore this region as early as 1501, and soon developed it into a center for growing and processing sugar. The sugar was exported from several of Bahia's coastal cities, the most important of which was Salvador. Salvador was the first capital of Brazil, until 1763, when Rio de Janeiro became the capital. Brazil -- History -- Colonial Period, 1500-1822