How a Brazilian state named for its lakes became the Land of the Marshals

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Alagoas, Brazil’s second-smallest state, is defined by its coastal lagoons and a history of sugar production. Known as the Land of the Marshals, it produced the nation's first two presidents. From its colonial origins under Pernambuco to its modern economic shifts, this region remains a complex, historically rich territory.

The name Alagoas derives from the coastal lagoons near Maceió, the state capital. Historically, the region was the southern territory of the Captaincy of Pernambuco, serving as an expansion zone for sugarcane farming. This agricultural focus began in the 16th century, relying heavily on enslaved African labor. By the 17th century, the area faced significant upheaval, including a Dutch invasion that lasted from 1630 until their defeat in 1646. The resulting labor shortages and economic ruin were compounded by the destruction of Palmares, a prominent quilombo formed by escaped slaves.

Alagoas achieved autonomy in 1817, following a royal decree by King John VI of Portugal as a reprisal against the Pernambuco Revolution. The state’s political identity was further forged during the 19th century, marked by intense ideological conflicts between liberal and conservative factions. By the 20th century, the region saw unique industrial experiments, such as the Estrela thread factory founded by Delmiro Gouveia, whose mysterious death in 1917 remains a subject of local lore. The state eventually earned its nickname, the Land of the Marshals, as the birthplace of Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto, who served as the first two presidents of the Brazilian republic.

Today, Alagoas faces significant economic challenges, holding one of the lowest Human Development Index scores in Brazil. Its economy has historically leaned on large-scale sugarcane plantations and tobacco farming, though the service sector now accounts for over half of its GDP. Recent decades have seen a shift toward tourism, with high-rise developments and resorts transforming the coastal landscape. Despite its poverty, the state remains a cultural hub, producing notable figures in music, literature, and law, while its infrastructure, including the Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport, reflects ongoing efforts to modernize and integrate with the broader global economy.

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