The city of Salvador, Bahia, was founded as the first capital of Brazil by Tomé de Souza, the first Governor-General appointed by the Portuguese Crown. The primary goal was to consolidate Portuguese control over their colonization efforts in the newly discovered land, which had immense potential for agriculture and trade. The location of Salvador, along the All Saints Bay, offered a deep harbor, making it ideal for trade ships, and provided a natural defense against potential threats from rival European powers and local Indigenous groups.

Upon arriving in Brazil, De Souza brought with him not only military personnel but also settlers and religious figures, intending to establish a permanent and stable society. His administration implemented various structures, including the construction of a fortress and churches, to create a town around which settlers could thrive. Rapid development occurred, with Salvador becoming a center for the sugar economy, driven by the establishment of plantations and the influx of enslaved Africans, marking the beginning of Brazil’s economic transformation.

Salvador also became a melting pot of cultures, blending Indigenous, African, and Portuguese traditions, leading to a vibrant society that would significantly influence Brazilian culture. Over time, Salvador maintained importance as a political and economic center until the capital was later moved to Rio de Janeiro in the 19th century.