Coastal tropical forests melted away as plantations spread up the hills and onto the plateaus around the Capibaribe River delta. By 1537 a tiny colony of sailors and fishermen was established.
Rannikuäärsed troopikametsad taandusid järk - järgult suhkrurooistanduste ees, mis kerkisid mäenõlvadele ja Capibaribe jõe delta ümber asuvatele platoodele.