As we all know that the Countries are named for many reasons. Some countries are named after tribes, some after the geographical features and other after famous historical figures. But did you know there is one country in the world whose name comes from a tree?
That country name is Brazil which is largest nation in the South America and it is home to the world’s largest tropical rainforest. As the millions of people know Brazil for it football, samba and the Amazon, there are very few know that its name originated from a valuable tree called the Brazilwood tree.
This story dates back more than 500 years to the arrival of the Portuguese explorers on the South American coast. At that time they discovered there was so valuable that it eventually gave the entire nation its identity. The journey from a simple tree to the name of one of the world’s largest countries and it history’s one of the most fascinating naming stories.
What Is the Only Country Named After a Tree?
The only country in the world which named after a tree is Brazil.
Brazil derives the its name from the Brazilwood tree (Paubrasilia echinata) and it is known in Portuguese as Pau-Brasil. During the early 16th century, Portuguese traders found the vast forests of these trees along Brazil’s Atlantic coast.
The tree’s heartwood produced a rare red dye which was highly sought after in the Europe for luxury textiles and royal clothing. Because this wood became the region’s most valuable export and the land gradually became known as the “Brazil,” and replacing the earlier colonial names.
The word “Brazil” comes from the Portuguese word “brasa,” it means the “glowing ember” and it referring to the deep reddish color of the wood.History Behind Brazil’s Name
Portuguese Explorers Arrive
At the time of1500, Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral landed on to the coast of present-day Brazil.
Initially, this territory received different names from the Portuguese Crown. However, the explorers quickly noticed enormous forests filled with the Brazilwood trees.
These trees soon became the more valuable than any other thing else found in the region.
The Red Gold of the 16th Century
At that time, the bright red dyes were rare and expensive in the parts of Europe.
This Brazilwood tree contained the natural pigment called brazilin, which produced a vivid red color. European merchants used this dye to the color luxury fabrics worn by the nobles, wealthy merchants and royal families.
As the ships loaded with Brazilwood sailed regularly towards Europe, this trade became so important that people began referring to the territory simply as Brazil.
From Commodity to Country Name
Over a period of time, the name of the tree became the name of the land itself.
Few countries have been named after the natural resource and Brazil remains the only modern sovereign nation which named after a tree.
Why Was the Brazilwood Tree So Valuable?
Before the synthetic dyes existed to obtaining the vibrant colors was difficult.
Brazilwood became famous because it produced the rich crimson dye which was highly prized across Europe.
The tree’s wood formation is exceptionally hard and dense.
One of the most surprising characteristic is that Brazilwood is so heavy that it sinks in to water instead of floating and many people find astonishing.
Even today, this Brazilwood remains valuable for the current world.
The wood is considered as one of the finest materials for crafting the professional violin, viola and cello bows because of the its unique combination of strength and flexibility.
Brazil is Just More Than A Name
Although the name comes from a tree, Brazil has become famous for the many other reasons.
Largest Nation in South Americ
Brazil covers nearly the half of South America’s land area and it shares the borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.
Home of the Amazon Rainforest
The world-famous Amazon Rainforest stretches across the most part of the Brazil and it contains unmatched biodiversity.
Unique Capital City
Brazil’s capital which is Brasília, and it is built and designed in a shape that resembles as the shape of airplane when it viewed from above.
The Footballing Nation
Brazil has produced the legendary footballers like Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar and they have won the most FIFA World Cup Titles in the history of the game.
Interesting Facts About the Brazilwood and Brazil
The Brazilwood tree was known and it traded before the territory officially became known as the Brazil.
As the population of the tree is severely reduced over a period of time, it is legally protected now.
Brazilwood naturally grows only in the Atlantic Forest region of the Brazil.
This tree features the bright yellow flowers with a pleasant fragrance.
Quick Facts Table
- Country Named After a Tree: Brazil (
- Tree Name: Brazilwood (Pau-Brasil)
- Scientific Name: Paubrasilia echinata
- Meaning of Brazil Derived from: Portuguese “brasa”
- Continent: South America
- Capital City: Brasília
- Largest City: São Paulo
- Population Over: 215 million
- Historical Importance: Source of valuable red dye
- Conservation Status of Tree: Endangered
