The urban and the Brazilian spatial economics in the 18th century

Abstract

The approximation between historical geography and economic history seems to be scientifically successful on the comprehension of territorial formation connected to spatial economy. Therefore, the view held in this article is that spatial economy, distinct in each region of the Portuguese colonization in Brazil, is derivative of a network of cities and villas that articulated the territory. Methodologically, 18th century primary sources are used and an analysis is developed binding a conceptualization of a former urban applied to the spatial economy peculiarities of the analyzed colonial regions, the Recôncavo Baiano, the Sertões of the São Francisco river and the Minas Gerais. These areas synthesize a process of articulated fragmentation of the 18th century Brazilian territory.