a significant number of poles have settled in southern brazil. the first immigrants arrived in 1869 and until 1959, it is estimated that over 100,000 poles migrated to brazil, 95% of whom were peasants. the state of paraná received the majority of polish immigrants, who settled mainly in the region of curitiba, in the towns of mallet, cruz machado, são matheus do sul, irati, and união da vitória.