Exploration & Discovery

Huguenots Establish France Antarctique in Brazil

The French Huguenots, led by Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon, founded the France Antarctique colony in present-day Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This attempted settlement was a response to religious persecution in France and aimed to establish a refuge for Protestants. They sought to counter Spanish and Portuguese dominance in South America, promoting trade and colonization. The colony, however, faced numerous challenges, including local indigenous resistance, supply shortages, and internal strife among the settlers, leading to its eventual decline.

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