The present day Brazil was inhabited by hunter-gatherers as early as 10,000 BC. However, the country's history begins with Portuguese colonization at the beginning of 16th century when Pedro Alvares Cabral first discovered the land in April, 1500. Initially starting with trading relation, the colony soon expanded and was under the direct rule of the Portuguese king. The colony flourished with sugar trade to Europe, and African slaves were bought to work on these plantations. The native Indians were also enslaved, and most of them died due to a number of epidemics which came with the Europeans. While being a colony, Brazil saw a boom in the likes of gold and coffee, leading to many people settling in the interior of the county. After Napoleon's conquest of Portugal in 1808, the King and his entire court shifted to Brazil which resulted in the construction of towns, buildings, libraries, and theaters, all of which are now prominent tourists destinations today. The country gained independence in 1822, and a large number of European immigrants settled here from the 1870s which has resulted in the great cultural diversity seen in the country today.