Terra de Santa Cruz
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Royal flag of the Kingdom of Portugal (1521-1616)
Terra de Santa Cruz (Portuguese for Land of the Holy Cross) was the name which was given to the Portuguese colonies in South America that were at the origin of Brazil, after its discovery by D. Pedro Álvares Cabral' fleet in April 21st, 1500.
The name was used in the sixteenth century after Ilha de Vera Cruz (Island of the True Cross) went into disuse, when it was recognised the land in question was in fact part of a continent, and not an island as had been previously believed. The territory was later administratively divided into the vice-kingdom of Brazil and that of Grão-Pará.
