It is at present the capital of all Brasil, and has been for some time the residence of the Viceroy.

These distinctions it obtained in preference to St.Salvador, which was formerly the capital, by means of the diamond mines discovered in its vicinity, in the year 1730.

The place increasing rapidly by the wealth thus brought to it, was fortified and put under the care of a governor in 1738.

The port is one of the finest in the world, very narrow at the entrance, and within capacious enough to contain more ships than ever were assembled at one station.

It has soundings from twenty to one hundred and twenty fathoms.
A hill shaped like a sugar loaf, situated on the west side, marks the proper bearing for entering the harbour: the situation of which is fully pointed out at the distance of two leagues and a half by some small islands, one of which, called Rodonda, is very high, and in form not unlike a haycock.