to stimulate the immigration to brazil, the king offered several benefits for the azorean couples. between 1748 and 1756, six thousand portuguese from the azores moved to the coast of santa catarina. they were mainly newly married who were seeking a better life. at that time, the azores were one of the poorest regions of portugal. they established themselves mainly in the santa catarina island, nowadays the region of florianópolis. later, some couples moved to rio grande do sul, where they established porto alegre, the capital. the azoreans lived on fishing and agriculture, especially flour. they composed over half of rio grande do sul and santa catarina's population in the late 18th century.