they created many other italian colonies on their own, mainly in highlands, because the lowlands were already populated by germans and native "gaúchos". the italian established many vineyards in the region. nowadays, the wine produced in these areas of italian colonization in southern brazil is much appreciated within the country, though little is available for export. in 1875, the first italian colonies were established in santa catarina, which lies immediately to the north of rio grande do sul. the colonies gave rise to towns such as criciúma, and later also spread further north, to paraná.