A careful look at the pre-independence situation in Latin America reveals that, in addition to Brazil, which was a Portuguese colony, there are also the Guyanese plateau, a few islands and coastal areas dominated by the British

The status quo in Latin America before independence

A careful look at the situation in Latin America before independence reveals that, in addition to Brazil, which was a Portuguese colony, the Guiana plateau, a few islands and coastal areas were occupied by British, French and Dutch colonists, and most of the rest of Latin America was under Spanish colonial rule.

Spain divided its Latin American colonies into four viceroyalties, the Viceroyalty of New Spain (capital Mexico City, established in 1535), the Viceroyalty of New Grenada (capital Bogotá, established in 1718), the Viceroyalty of Peru (capital Lima, established in 1542) and the Viceroyalty of La Plata (capital Buenos Aires, established in 1776).

Brazil was colonized by Portugal, and after the Portuguese mainland was occupied by Napoleon, the Portuguese royal family once came to Brazil for refuge and moved back to the mainland.