 The Dutch took the land in 1634 as a part of Dutch Brazil and reigned until 1654, when they were defeated by the Portuguese.In 1701, Rio Grande do Norte joined the Captaincy of Pernambuco, and became a province in 1822 and a state of Brazil in 1889.Rio Grande do Norte is divided into 167 municipalities, which are grouped into four mesoregions and 23 microregions.