The Colonization of Roraima State, Brazil: an Analysis of its Major Migration Flows (1970 to 2010)

Abstract

Roraima State is one of the least known areas of the Brazilian Amazon, also comprising one of the less populous Brazilian states. Nonetheless, the geography of Roraima has undergone profound changes over the last decades, as besides experiencing tremendous population growth via migration, the State also witnessed the development of intense intra-state mobility flows. Among the events fueling these changes is the formal and informal creation of agricultural settlement projects, which lack basic infra-structure and social services, displaying low migrant retention rates. This paper examines the recent history of occupation of Roraima State, based on census data from 1970, 1980, 1991, 2000 and 2010. In the process, we identify and map the major inter-state and intra-state migration flows discussing their impacts upon the demographic configuration of the State. Results demonstrate that migration has played a leading role in the territorial, political and cultural configurations of Roraima. In turn, over the last fifty years, migration itself has undergone significant changes with respect to its intensity, and predominant origins and destinations within and outside Roraima. Between the 1970 and 1980 the state received a considerable influx of migrants from the North and Northeast regions of the country, especially from the states of Ceara, Maranhao, Para and Amazonas. On the other hand, since 1980 Roraima has also attracted migrants from South and Southeast Brazil, especially those originating in Rio Grande do Sul. A large portion of those arriving in Roraima were seeking free access to land in the various local spontaneous and directed colonization projects. Nonetheless, in many cases they did not meet their expectations in rural areas and ended up remigrating into the growing urban centers of the State. These rural-to-urban migrants were added to countless individuals who have recently been removed from Indian reservations, exacerbating existing urban problems. The observed migration dynamics are strongly associated with the construction and configuration of Roraima, shedding light on a number of issues facing the state's population today.