Capivari and the territorial formation of southern Brazil: Toponymic review and criticism of the location of the first settlers of Encruzilhada do Sul (RS)

This article proposes a critical review of the location attributed to the first settlers sent by Francisco de Brito Peixoto to the region currently corresponding to Encruzilhada do Sul/RS. Local historiography, based on works such as that of José Pedroso, associates these colonizers with the Capivari stream, located in the interior of the current territory of Pantano Grande/RS. However, the combined analysis of toponymic, geographical, logistical and cartographic factors indicates the existence of an interpretative mistake. From the examination of historical cartography — especially maps that identify the "Capivary" as a watercourse linked to the lagoon system of Lagoa dos Patos — it is argued that the original reference concerns the coastal Capivari, today associated with the region of Capivari do Sul/RS. It is concluded that the traditional location lacks consistent empirical support, and a reinterpretation based on the logic of colonial territorial occupation is more plausible.